The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has said that more robberies take place during winter weather. How do you deter a robbery from happening in your store? We have come up with a set of robbery awareness and deterrence tips based on policies and procedures our clients use in their stores. Here are a few of their good ideas.

Taking Steps to Deter Robberies

Committee members say that one of the best ways to deter robberies in the store is to keep as little cash in the register as possible. This can be done through the use of drop safes. Most convenience store clerks are trained to drop big bills (20s, 50s, etc.) in these safes as soon as they receive them. Some stores even have a policy of not accepting anything larger than a $20 bill. But, can this policy cause problems for some customers?

As long as the customer is asked nicely for a smaller bill or to wait until the clerk gets more change in the register, nine times out of ten the customer will not complain. Most stores have a policy of not accepting anything larger than a $20 bill. Most importantly, this gets the idea across to would-be robbers that there is very little money in the cash register to steal.

In higher volume stores, the best way to keep cash available yet under control is to have more than one register in operation with a minimum of $50 in cash kept in each register. Many of our clients stores operate two to three registers at a time during peak times which allows heavy customer traffic to flow smoothly. She says that steady traffic flow is one of the best robbery deterrents.

However, these measures should not prevent you from making lottery payouts. Lottery winners can only receive $599 in stores. You can grt lottery winnings from your time-lock safes so that, at worse, the winner will only have to wait 10 minutes.

Lighting Stores For Safety

Convenience store operators can take an active role in making their businesses "unattractive" for robberies. One of those steps involves having well-lit stores on the inside and the outside.

Well-lit places scare off would-be robbers. They don't want to be seen; they'd rather operate in shadows and the darkness. You should make it a practice to test all of your lights during the day to make sure they work and to change them immediately if they don't.

Having proper lighting also makes the customer feel safe. A well-lit store is an automatic cue to the customer that he or she can shop there without having to worry about being robbed.

We also suggest that store parking lots be cleaned only during daylight hours.

Don't like our people working outside at night. If there is debris left over, you can usually leave it until the next morning. But there has never seen so much trash in a parking lot that it would deter a customer from coming in.

Outside cleanup should only be scheduled during daylight hours or during times when there is double coverage, such as shift changes. When scheduling store responsibilities, safety should be your top priority.

Practicing Safe Banking

Convenience store operators are also urged to avoid establishing a pattern when banking. This the most important step of banking procedures. Depositing the money is a number one priority.

You must always try to go directly to the bank without making any stops. The store's banking bag should be placed inside another bag and that bag should be kept under the driver's seat, out of sight. Don't give a would-be robber any chance to rob you.

Another option is to use armored car pickups. Many of our clients use such a service at their stores. Armored car services are expensive but very safe.

It is safer to have an armed guard pick up deposits from our safes than it is to have an employee do it. The use of armored car pickups makes cash inaccessible and is probably one of the best robbery deterrent techniques for a higher-volume store.

Late Night Procedures

· Make sure that proper lights have been turned on, and replace or report any burned out bulbs immediately.

· Greet and pay attention to every customer when he/she enters the store.

· In single-coverage stores, stock the cooler before midnight––stay out on the sales floor.

· Parking lots will be cleaned only during daylight hours.

· Trash should be taken out only during daylight hours.

· Store back doors should be kept closed after dark.

· Post police, fire, ambulance, manager/franchisee, and other emergency phone numbers near the phone.

· No unauthorized persons are allowed behind the counter.

· Offer complimentary coffee to uniformed police.

Deter Robberies

· Observe your own company's cash policy by keeping cash in the register at a minimum.

· Encourage exact change or smallest possible bill.

· Drop all bills $20 or greater immediately.

· Keep safe locked and keys secured.

· Acknowledge each customer when he/she enters the store (make eye contact, greet the customer).

· Display signs without blocking the view of the counter.

· Turn on proper lights at dusk. Keep both the store interior and exterior brightly lit.

· Spend time on the sales floor whenever you can.

· Watch for and report suspicious acts.

Banking Safety Procedures

· Do not establish a pattern when banking. Vary your route and time of day.

· Store Manager/Franchisee should make at least one deposit everyday.

· Make additional deposits as necessary to keep the available cash in the store as low as possible. Many high-volume gasoline, lottery and money order stores find it wise to make two or three deposits each day.

· Only use authorized bank bags. Do not use envelopes or paper bags for making deposits. Place the bank bag inside a paper bag or other cover. Do not carry the bank bag openly. Once in your vehicle, it is recommended that the bag be placed under the seat or in another location where it is not in direct view from outside the car.

· Go directly to the bank. Do not stop at another store or at home and never leave the deposit unattended in your vehicle.

· When leaving the store with a deposit, take off your uniform. This is not the time to advertise where you work. Do not loudly announce your banking plans for all to hear.

· Always lock your car doors. This is good crime prevention advice any time, but particularly important when making a bank deposit.

· When arriving at the bank, whether using a night depository or the lobby, pick your parking spot carefully and look in all directions before unlocking and exiting your car.