NCJ Number: 65076
Title: FISTFUL OF DOLLARS - POLICE V THE NEW BANK BANDITS
Journal: POLICE MAGAZINE Volume:3 Issue:2 Dated:(MARCH 1980) Pages:4-10,12-14,16
Author(s): G MITCHELL
Corporate Author: Criminal Justice Publications, Inc
Date Published: 1980
Page Count: 11
Sponsoring Agency: Criminal Justice Publications, Inc
Sale Source: Criminal Justice Publications, Inc
Language: English
Country: United States of America
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)
Index Term(s): Bank robbery; Crime Causes; Crime prevention measures; Crime specific countermeasures; Criminal methods; Offender profiles; Police business cooperation
Note: PRICE QUOTED IS FOR ENTIRE ISSUE. REPRINTS OF ARTICLE AVAILABLE IN LARGE QUANTITIES.
To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=65076
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