The Web site www.massmostwanted.org, which includes a separate page devoted to information regarding bank robberies and suspects, was introduced last week.

Bank robberies have become so routine in the Bay State they barely garner attention in the media. But a working group comprised of bankers, association members and law enforcement officials has produced a comprehensive report chock full of advice on prevention and analysis of why the number of robberies has more than doubled in the past few years.

The report was introduced at a joint press conference Thursday by members of the Bank Robbery Working Group, which includes members of the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Boston office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Boston, state, Westwood and Wellesley police departments. The report represents a six-month culmination of the group’s work. The task force was formed in January to discuss new ideas and approaches to stemming the tide of bank robberies in the area.

According to John Trahon, supervisory special agent of the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force, the number of bank robberies in the Bay State has risen over the past several years. In 2001 there were 265 bank robberies compared to 156 the previous year. From Sept. 11 to the end of the year alone there were 90 robberies, with such activity rising markedly in the three months following the terrorist attacks. But Trahon said while the number of bank robberies has been increasing, the extremely high rate seen in the last quarter of 2001 isn’t the norm and is likely attributable to a number of causes, including holiday season depression and anxiety caused by the Sept. 11 tragedies.

Additionally, the group announced the launch of a new Web site designed to draw the help of the public and law enforcement agents. The site, www.massmostwanted.org, posts images and information about suspects wanted in a variety of crimes from sexual assault to bank robberies and other thefts. The site is maintained by the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council, a group made up of more than 30 area law enforcement departments. The site is not flashy, but is designed to download quickly to present basic information available such as date and place of the robbery and a description of the suspect. The purpose is to identify suspects so that warrants may be issued, according to the Wellesley Police Department’s Deputy Chief William Brooks. Although the site was launched just last week, it has already proven successful. While Web masters at the Westwood police department were working on the site, another officer happened by, glanced at the pictures of an unknown suspect, recognized and identified him. A warrant has since been issued for Gary Pettiford, wanted in connection with a bank robbery in Milton and another in Braintree.

Additionally, banks will be contributing to the Mass Most Wanted TIP Program, which will be used by police to entice informants to leak information to police. The amount given to informants who pass along a tip will be determined by police based on how valuable the information proves to be in the capture of the suspect. “Thankfully, there’s no honor among thieves and people, if they know about this, will step forward for the money,” said Bruce E. Spitzer, spokesman for the MBA.

The entire report was presented to more than 200 bankers Thursday morning at a special conference in Waltham. It was received “very well,” according to Kevin F. Kiley, chief operating officer at the MBA. There were over two dozen recommendations to improve the safety and security of member banks, said Kiley. Although much of the report contains bank security information, which the report authors said would be foolhardy to disclose, members of the group divulged several key suggestions to prevent bank robberies.

The first suggestion is for banks to post a sign in their lobbies that reads, “To preserve safety and security, we respectfully request that all customers remove hats, hoods and sunglasses while in the bank. Thank you for your cooperation.”

“The emphasis is on request because this is not a piece of legislation,” said Spitzer. “But we think this will go a long way in helping people understand there are steps they can do and, of course, this will produce better photos and maybe reduce robberies.”

Trahon said he feels the suggestions can only help the situation.

“I think in this day and age where people are more aware of how things can go wrong … they want to be part of the solution,” said Trahon. “I think people will say, ‘Here’s how I can cooperate, here’s how I can bring down the number of bank robberies.'”

Of course, there will be people who choose not to remove their hats when entering a bank lobby, but Trahon believes that most will, especially in light of the events of Sept. 11, which have increased awareness of security issues with the public.

Tape Measure

Other recommendations in the report include posting guards or greeters in the lobbies to not only help people but also notice them. This may help curb some robberies because most perpetrators don’t want to be recognized or make eye contact with anyone, said Trahon. “Similarly, we’re recommending that video monitors be placed at the entrance of branches so that potential robbers immediately see their image and recognize that they will be videotaped,” said Spitzer.

While there has been an increase, to say it’s because robbers think the FBI is not paying as close attention in light of the new focus on terrorism is giving them too much credit, said Trahon. “You’ve got to understand that in the Greater Boston area, the majority of our bank robberies are the demand note robberies,” he said, adding that note passing is the method used in 80 percent of the region’s bank robberies. “The connotation is that it’s drug-related. Those types of people, drugs pretty much dictate their lives – their need for drugs. They all know that the bank policy is to give some money out” in the event of a robbery, a course of action designed to protect the safety of bank employees.

While the number of bank robberies in the region has been rising, law enforcement officials say the attention of the FBI and state and local police hasn’t been diverted away from crime by security issues in the wake of Sept. 11. The resolution rate of bank robbery cases in the Boston area handled by the FBI is 64 percent, according to Charles S. Prouty, special agent in charge of the Boston office.

While assistance from the public in solving and preventing crime generally is appreciated, one evolving trend has bankers and law enforcement officials concerned. Bystanders at crime scenes in recent days are more likely to transition into active participants, chasing and attempting to apprehend suspects. “It may be a noble action, but it really doesn’t make sense. If these people are armed, they can turn on you,” said Spitzer. Trahon agreed and added that while those people are very brave and the law enforcement community is grateful for their assistance, they must be prudent about their own safety. Trying to get a license plate number or remembering the clothing of the person is incredibly helpful to officers and agents, he said, and does not entail taking personal risks.

“You certainly don’t want to tackle that individual [a bank robber]. That person could have a gun. Or even if he doesn’t, someone else could get hurt,” said Trahon.

Trahon said working with the group was a good experience and one that will bring results. “I think the attitude and the professionalism toward this issue [bank robberies] was a tremendous step in bringing awareness that something can be done to bring the numbers down.”

Report Recommends Actions To Curb Bank Robbery Boom

by Banker & Tradesman time to read: 5 min
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