NYPD: Banks are Too Friendly, Too Attractive to Robbers

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is blaming the uptick in robberies this year--265 through September 2, versus last year's 177 during the same period--on banks. A police source tells the Daily News, "The new thing with banks is to be 'friendly' to customers. Branches look like lounges - no glass partitions, no security guards. They are 'friendly,' all right - 'friendly' to thugs who 'withdraw' other people's money." Kelly wants banks to improve their security, a reprise of his request back in 2003 during another bank robbery boom time. The News also runs down the top three targeted banks: Wachovia, Commerce and Sovereign.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on September 11, 2008 9:44 AM

Comments [rss]

brooklyngeorge

Yea, but with banks, you don't have to worry about the rats.

NannyState

Banks may be easier to rob, but the take is pretty pathetic these days. The average haul is around $1800. You might get more loot from a KFC, and without having to do mandatory federal hard time.

cucarachita

In France, the banks have double doors you have to go through, one at a time before you can get inside. Or back outside. If all you need is cash, you go to the ATM. Anything else, you deal with the security doors and people.

That's pretty sensible, I always thought. That, and the gendarme with the machine gun standing on the corner here and there.

Innajunglestylee

Next week, Kelly will tell us how girls are too "friendly" these days.

brooklyngeorge

To Kelly's credit, at least he didn't blame the rash on GTA4.

Mr Mel

I went into a Commerce Bank branch the other day, there was a uniformed NYPD cop in the lobby and a uniformed gold badged detective near the tellers. I asked her (the detective) why the presence and she said the bank requested it. Does Commerce Bank have a particular problem?

ed_Extinct

Any bank that is not shrouded in 3-5" thick anti-tank missile glass, is no bank of mine.

RoDogg

For a place that deals with money and known for having large sums of cash, banks today are to home like. Hell, some banks have soft music playing. When I go into a bank I don't want to see nice comfortable sofas, soft light lamps, hearing soft music, I don't plan on going to sleep there! They only have guards in banks around Christmas time.

Outter Burrougher

I've been to a couple of these style of branches and it always freaks me out.

That being said, Commissioner, I'm sure that the uptick has absolutely nothing to do with the state of the economy. No, nothing at all.