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FISTFUL OF DOLLARS - POLICE V THE NEW BANK BANDITS

NCJ Number
65076
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH 1980) Pages: 4-10,12-14,16
Author(s)
G MITCHELL
Date Published
1980
Length
11 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON THE RECENT UPSURGE IN BANK ROBBERIES, THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE HISTORY OF THE 'ART,' REASONS UNDERLYING ITS CURRENT POPULARITY, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BUSINESS EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE CRIME.
Abstract
IN 1979, THE NUMBER OF BANK HOLDUPS ROSE ALMOST 25 PERCENT, WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES. ALTHOUGH BANK ROBBERS WERE ROMANTICIZED BY SUCH NOTORIOUS FIGURES AS BONNIE AND CLYDE AND JOHN DILLINGER, ROBBERS TODAY ARE YOUNGER, LESS EXPERIENCED, AND MORE IMPULSIVE CRIMINALS; THEY ROB AS AN EASY ANTIDOTE TO POVERTY OR AS A REMEDY FOR DESPAIR. WITH THE NUMBER OF BANK OFFICES INCREASING, THE ECONOMY DETERIORATING, AND PREVENTATIVE BARRIERS ABSENT, BANKS HAVE BECOME EASY TARGETS. MEASURES TO COMBAT BANK ROBBERS CONCOCTED THROUGH THE COOPERATION OF BANK SECURITY OFFICERS, LOCAL POLICE, AND THE FBI INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF PLEXIGLASS 'BANDIT BARRIERS' IN MOST BANKS, DISTRIBUTION OF 'SECURITY PACKS' THAT EXPLODE AND SPRAY THE ROBBER WITH RED DYE, AND REWARD PROGRAMS. ALSO, TWO DETECTIVES HAVE DEVELOPED AN ELECTRIC HOMING DEVICE WHICH, WHEN INSERTED IN A ROBBER'S 'STASH,' WILL GIVE OFF A SIGNAL THAT PERMITS POLICE TO TRACK THE CULPRIT. IN MARYLAND, POLICE HAVE ENCOURAGED BANKERS TO CONSULT WITH SECURITY EXPERTS AND POLICE ADVISERS WHEN DESIGNING BRANCH BANKS TO PLAN FOR MAXIMUM SECURITY. SOME BANKS ARE NOT ONLY FILMING ROBBERIES BUT ALSO WIRING BANKS FOR SOUND. SPECIFIC PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE FBI'S ROLE IN SUCH INVESTIGATIONS IS EXAMINED. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)