THE PRIMARY ROLE OF UNIFORMED POLICE IN COMBATING ARMED ROBBERY IS THAT OF CRIME PREVENTION. DETERRENCE MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED BY INCREASING VISIBILITY OF POLICE OFFICERS; E.G., THROUGH A REGULAR PATROL. POLICE COMMUNICATION BY MEANS OF WALKIE-TALKIE RADIOS IS RECOMMENDED, AS IS THE USE OF MAPS TO STUDY THE PATTERNS OF BANK ROBBERIES AND IDENTIFY PROBLEM AREAS THAT NEED INCREASED ATTENTION. THE BANK, ITSELF, IS URGED TO TAKE CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES. IDEALLY, CRIME PREVENTION PLANS WILL BE MADE EVEN BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BANK--LOCATION IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE. DETERRENT DEVICES, BARRIER DEVICES, AND IDENTIFICATION EQUIPMENT ARE ALSO NECESSARY FOR GOOD PROTECTION. A GUARD ON DUTY IN FRONT OF THE BANK IS SEEN AS THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS DETERRENT MEASURE. AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTORS AVOID THE NEED FOR MANY JOURNEYS TO AND FROM THE BANKS AND THEREFORE REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OCCASIONS ON WHICH ATTACKS CAN BE COMMITTED. THE FOLLOWING BARRIER AND ALARM DEVICES ARE DISCUSSED REGARDING THEIR ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES: (1) THE ELECTRIC TRIP, (2) GLASS CAGES, (3) REVOLVING DOORS, (4) BULLET-PROOF BARRIERS, (5) AUDIO ALARM SYSTEMS, (6) OPTICAL ALARM SYSTEMS, (7) TELEPHONE CONTACTS WITH THE POLICE, (8) TWO-WAY MIRRORS, AND (9) SELF-CONCEALING TILLS. IDENTIFICATION OF OFFENDERS IS MADE EASIER WITH THE SOPHISTICATED USE OF CAMERAS AND ELECTRONICALLY-BUGGED BUNDLES OF NOTES. SAFETY DEVICES MAY INCLUDE SUCH THINGS AS ALARM SYSTEMS IN THE BANK VAULT ITSELF. (MLC)