Robbery is the unlawful taking of another person’s property from their persons or immediate presence against their will, accomplished by force or fear. Robbery is a felony crime that usually results in a prison sentence of at least one year.
While robbery is a relatively low-frequency crime in most jurisdictions, the consequences can be severe for victims. Victims experience a range of emotions from the fear and sense of loss to guilt that they may have contributed to the crime.
Preparing your staff for a robbery is an important way to deter the crime and support staff members and customers in the aftermath of it. Staff should be trained to cooperate with perpetrators, but to also remain silent if they have a strong moral compass and feel that doing so will deescalate the situation.
Stores should avoid making their staff an easy target for robbery by keeping the amount of cash in the register low and dropping large bills right away so they are not on display. Changing the route and time of bank deposits on a regular basis can deter robbery, as can having a safe in the store where employees drop cash off after closing. If your business has an alarm system, make sure it is visible and announce it publicly with signage. Develop a mutual aid system with stores on your block by agreeing to keep an eye on each other’s premises and share information about suspicious activity.
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