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as you're waiting in line to deposit
your paycheck you see a group of people
entering the bank demanding money and
threatening to kill everybody if they
don't cooperate
you freeze and panic
what's your best move to get out alive
here's how to survive a bank robbery
according to the fbi in the u.s there
were 2 160 bank robberies in 2019
most bank robberies are what experts
call note jobs in which the robber's
objective is to hand a note to the
teller get the money and get out fast
in these cases the chances are that
customers didn't realize a robbery
happened until the robber left
but there is another type
the takedown or takeover robbery this is
a violent heist where two or more
robbers burst into a bank wearing masks
waving weapons and demanding that people
do things
this scenario can get out of control
quickly and put your life in danger
so what should you do in a violent bank
robbery which bank branches are safer
when should you get on the floor
step one don't attract attention
the robbers will be hyper alert the
stakes will be high and adrenaline will
be running throughout their bodies so
the last thing you want to do is to
alarm them
don't stare at the robbers
don't try to take pictures or video of
them either
if you feel safe enough try discreetly
observing the robbers
and take mental notes of how they look
or talk
any physical feature that you can
remember will help police to find them
after the robbery
but don't stand out don't make yourself
a target by drawing attention to
yourself
step two
comply with the robbers
during a heist the robbers might give
you instructions especially if you're a
bank worker they might tell you to put
the money in bags or they might demand
you help them with something due to your
knowledge of the facility
if you are in this situation it is best
to listen to the robbers and comply with
their demands remember they are armed
and they don't want to deal with an
uncooperative bystander
don't talk back and do what they tell
you
if the robbers don't give any directions
or if the situation is chaotic get on
the ground immediately and keep your
hands behind your head
step 3 avoid certain bank branches
although going to the bank is a
necessary errand it's smart to limit the
amount of time you spend in a bank
avoid branches with a lobby coffee area
or any gathering place
bank security consultant rosemary
erickson says that a branch with these
characteristics is a nightmare for
security a potential robber can sit
there and wait for the circumstances
they want
step four
don't be a hero
a bank robbery may be an upsetting and
frustrating thing to witness and you may
find it hard to stay calm but if you're
thinking of teaching the robbers a
lesson or defending someone being harmed
think again
instead focus on surviving
don't argue with the robbers
and their guns won't be intimidated by
your karate skills
so don't make any sudden moves
and if a robber demands your wallet cash
or cell phone and you need to reach into
a pocket tell them what you are going to
do
step 5 call 9-1-1
contacting the authorities is important
but not until it's safe to do so wait
until the robbers have left and you feel
secure enough to call 9-1-1 or the local
emergency number
if you're in an isolated area move to an
area with people and ask someone to stay
with you while you wait for help
if you opt to remain at the crime scene
try not to touch anything as you could
be contaminating evidence and if there
were any witnesses ask them to stay with
you until the officers arrive
you may have survived the bank robbery
but the resulting stress and emotions
are going to stick with you for a while
so you should get some rest
but just as you lie down in bed you hear
a window smash open downstairs
is someone breaking into your house
get ready we can help with that too
here on how to survive
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you