THUNDER BAY -- It’s nearly impossible for people to know how they’ll react in an intense situation until they find themselves in the middle of one.
That’s why some financial institutions and other businesses are teaming up with the Thunder Bay Police Service to give their employees a crash test in robbery preparation.
Sgt. Greg Stein is one of the coordinators of the robbery prevention program and said mock scenarios are one of the most effective exercises because it highlights the severity of the situation.
“It really tends to drive home the point that these events are very traumatic and even doing a mock situation can really rattle people up,” Stein said.
“It gives them a sense of what they did right, what they may have done wrong and what they may need to work on and it gives better preparedness for their every day at work.”
Even though even a staged event can be stressful, it can pay off if those employees ever find themselves in the middle of a real threat.
One recent exercise was conducted with the Bay Credit Union, where a mock robbery was staged within the last few weeks.
That mock robbery had officers observing staff throughout all stages of the exercise to provide suggestions on how to better handle themselves.
In addition to helping prepare each individual staff member, it also allows management to see how various security features could be helpful.
“It also gives them some tools to work with and lets them lay their workplace out a bit better. It gives the entire business a better understanding of what they may need to do,” Stein said.
Those tools can include buzzers or silent alarms in other areas of the building, so as not to surprise a robber. Stein said catching the person by surprise is one of the worst things that can happen.
It also includes teaching those who are involved in the robbery to immediately record key information about the perpetrator to help the investigation.
Other components of the program, which Stein said works with any business that requests assistance, include providing recommendations on how to create a safe environment.
“Having access to the building so we can see in and they can see out and having good lighting and windows so they can see if someone is coming in to commit a robbery so they can see where the person goes when they leave,” Stein said are some of the biggest suggestions.
He also advises businesses invest in the best surveillance systems they can afford to help police as well as serve as a deterrent.
Even with all of those tips, there is still one that is stressed above all others.
“Safety is paramount for the employees and the customers,” Stein said. “Money and material things can typically be replaced.”
