Politics & Government

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

After the 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.

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"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.

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, 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.


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