Robbery Awareness Tips

 

What Should I Do If I am a Robbery Witness or Victim?

  • STAY CALM - Keep your head. Stay as calm as possible, think rationally and evaluate your resources and options.  Take some deep breaths.
     
  • ASSESSMENT - It may be more advisable to submit (this does not mean you consent) than resist and risk severe injury or death. Everyone has different strengths and abilities. You will have to make this decision based on the circumstances. But, don't resist if the attacker has a weapon.

  • BE OBSERVANT - listen closely to what the robber says and do not argue. Try to remember the exact words spoken by the robber as it may help with the police investigation.

  • BE ALERT - notice what is happening.  Keep assessing the situation as it is happening. If one strategy doesn't work, try another get a grip on yourself and stay calm.

  • LOOK FOR DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS - look for things that can not be changed such as scars, marks, tattoos, limps, accents, etc.

  • WEAPONS - take careful note of any weapons. You will have to describe it later to the police. If the robber indicates that there is a weapon in his pocket, assume it is a gun. If the robber has a gun, assume it is loaded.

  • DESCRIPTION OF ROBBER - compare the robber to your own height and weight to estimate the size of your attacker.

  • COOPERATE WITH THE POLICE - if you are robbed, or see someone else being robbed, report it to the police immediately.

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What Should I Do After the Robbery?

  • Notify the police immediately and follow the lead of the police dispatcher (unless you need to convey an emergency situation).  If there is more than one victim or witness, the person with the most information should be on the phone.   Be prepared to tell them:

        1. The address, with an exact location in the building;

        2. As complete a description as possible of the robber(s); clothing, height/weight, hair and eye color, age (best estimate), facial hair, scars, marks or tattoos.  Concentrate on one suspect at a time, so as not to confuse descriptions.  

        3. Whether or not a weapon was implied or used. If you saw the weapon, a good description including the type, for example, if it was a handgun what color and style (revolver or semi-automatic), or other weapons such as knives, crowbars, etc.;

        4. A description of any vehicle used and the number of people in the vehicle;

        5.The direction of travel; and

        6. Any words spoken by the robber(s).

  • While waiting for the police to arrive, lock the doors and do not touch anything. Keep everyone away from the hold-up area and guard anything that may have been touched by the robber(s).

  • Save anything left behind by the robber(s) such as a note, weapon, bag, clothing and do not handle any of these items.

  • While waiting for the police, do not discuss the crime with other witnesses. All those involved should make individual notes of the information they have while it is fresh in their minds.