DALLAS — Credit unions wishing to deter robberies should keep a few men around their branches if possible, according to a former bank robber.
Troy Evans, a convicted bank robber with at least seven years in federal penitentiaries reported that research shows that not having men in a credit union or bank branch can help make potential thieves feel the branch is more vulnerable to robbery. Evans presented part of the research during an appearance in a robbery prevention video sponsored and circulated by the Texas Credit Union League. Evans also spoke at the League Annual Meeting this year.
In addition to his own experience with criminality, Evans holds two college degrees earned while in prison and has interviewed hundreds of bank robbers on the road to becoming an expert in financial institution security, the League said.
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Evans said if it was not possible to have more male employees in a credit union branch every day, CUs should at least make sure to try to have some there on Friday mornings when most robberies take place. He also urged credit unions to train their staff to greet each member as they come in the door. "Your legitimate members will love it," he said, "and the would-be robber will hate it."
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