NCJ Number
108150
Date Published
1987
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Recent research on retail robberies provides important information for use by security managers in reviewing policy, establishing training priorities, and communicating with proponents of legislation directed at preventing robbery murder.
Abstract
Interviews with 181 armed robbers in 5 State prisons reveals several tendencies. Robbers typically carry guns to intimidate the victim, not to use them. Causes of homicides include the victim's resistance to the robber's demands and the robber's misunderstanding of a sudden movement by the victim. Robbers who know the victim sometimes go to business establishments because of a domestic problem or a problem drug deal. In addition, some mentally unbalanced individuals decide in advance to eliminate witnesses. Security managers need to establish a policy of nonresistance and give it top priority during training. In addition, having two people on duty does not deter robbers and may make resistance more likely. Knowing the factors that make potential targets more attractive is another way to reduce robberies. The interviews showed that the potential amount of money is the most important factor. Most robbers are interested in a target if the amount is more than $100. Decreasing the available cash at Southland Corporation's 7-Eleven stores during the past 12 years had substantially lowered the robbery rate. Other procedures that have proven effective have involved physical surveys and adaptations at each store site and the training of employees. However, regulating business hours, requiring two employees, or mandating security hardware are of questionable effectiveness or may actually be detrimental because of possible adverse effects. Footnotes, table, and figures.