Bank, credit union robberies on decline

The Missouri Bankers Association credits the decrease to a voluntary program implemented in 2003 that keeps customers from wearing hats, hoods or sunglasses in banks and credit unions.

In 2002-2003, 125 robberies were reported by the FBI. In 2003-2004, the number dropped to 84, and 2004-2005 remained almost as low with 89.

About half of Missouri’s banks and credit unions choose to participate in the program.

“We want to increase those numbers, because we know that the greater the participation, the fewer the bank robberies we’ll have,” Missouri Bankers Association executive vice president Bill Ratliff said in a news release.

Ratliff also said in the news release that bank customers seem to have no problem removing the prohibited articles of clothing.

“It’s very nonintrusive. If a customer wears a hat or sunglasses in the bank, the employees simply watch that person much closer,” he said.