Mentor Councilman Says Banks Need To Increase Their Security
Ray Kirchner recommends introducing legislation that would order banks to offer a security plan that would involve guards or other deterrents
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After the Dollar Bank in Mentor was robbed for the second time in two years Tuesday, Mentor City Councilman Ray Kirchner sent a letter to his fellow council members.
The subject -- bank security.
"I hate to sound like a broken record but I am truly tired at the ease in which our banks allow themselves to be robbed," Kirchner wrote.
"I am at the point where I am considering introducing legislation that would order banks to offer a security plan that would put guards or other deterrents inside their banks to eliminate the present policy of letting robbers do as they please and let us take care of their problem once the theives walk out the door."
This is not the first time Kirchner has taken issue with what he sees as lax security at the banks in Mentor.
After a spate four bank robberies last year in Mentor, Kirchner said during a Council meeting, "I think (the banks') policy is basically doing nothing from what I can see ... It taxes the resources of local police and the FBI, as well."
In Tuesday's letter, Kirchner added, "I am only thankful that one of our policemen or citizens haven't been injured or worse as a result of these bank robberies."
Kirchner said that Tuesday's bank robbery -- the first in Mentor this year -- demonstrated more evidence of banks' laxity.
"The robbery of the Dollar Bank (Tuesday) is a perfect example of this policy as the robber merely walked in, handed the teller a note demanding money, was given money and took off," he wrote.
He concluded his letter by saying, "I welcome Council's comments and I might add I have no problem being the first community to legislate better safety policies by our banks.
Kyle
10:05 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I always thought that banks should have bullet proof doors and a trap system. Almost every bank I have ever been to has two sets of doors you walk through to get in. The doors are usually only about 3-5 feet apart from each other. Create a system that, at the push of a button, automatically locks the doors.
When the robber is exiting the bank they first will pass through one set of doors. When they get to the next set (which would be the ones that would get you outside) they will find them locked. The first set of doors will then swing shut and lock behind them, effectively locking the robber inside the doors until help arrives.
This may seem far fetched but something of this nature could easily work. The first step I would take is no customers are allowed to approach tellers if they are wearing a hood/hat/sunglasses/anything covering a clear sight of their head.
Joe Strailey
10:46 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I like that idea, but wouldn't a robber then be more likely to take a hostage with them when exiting? Therefore threatening that persons life if the doors are indeed locked as they exit?
SharEd
11:35 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
My first thought exactly!
Mario
1:49 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
As a former bank employee you are instructed to give the robber what they want, so you don't have any hostage situations. The robber wants to get in and out as fast as they can. The police and FBI are there to help out banks in these situations. It might take the police away from just sitting there and have them do there jobs. People have to realize that what they see in movies is not what it is really like.
Vickie
6:36 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I have said it for years...you should have to scan your ATM card to gain access to the inside of the bank if you do not have an appointment with a personal banker to discuss business. This is not new technology, many businesses already have scanner systems installed. I also suggest that your ID picture be placed on your ATM card.
Kathy Adult
11:17 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I agree with the banks policy. Why should a bank teller risk getting injured or killed? I usually support the police, but it IS their job to "Protect ans Serve". Sounds like Kirchner needs an atitude adjustment.
Kevin in Mentor
11:23 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
I think Kirchner should lift weights and take self defense classes so as not to tax our local police if he gets robbed. Surely beefing up his puny arms would prevent such an incident. People are going to rob banks whether there is a security guard there or not. By the way, we really don't want to see shootouts in busy banks between would-be robbers and $13/hour security guards. .....Kirchner must be a liberal....He must be.
Jason Lea
12:33 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
If you don't agree with Kirchner, that's fine. But please don't pepper your comment with insults. (To be clear, I'm talking about the "puny arms" jab. I don't think it's an insult to call someone liberal or conservative.)