Security at banks and financial institutions
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
In the recent botched robbery at the Scotiabank branch on Robb Street in Georgetown last Tuesday it was reported that the guard at the bank's branch was not armed and that while there were security measures in place the staff there did not use them. We asked the man/woman-in-the-street what can be done to improve security at banks and similar institutions. Christopher Waldijh - private sector employee: 'It is absolutely necessary to have armed guards. I always thought that the guards at all the banks were armed. I cannot imagine that with so many robberies being committed that the banks would not be prepared for any such eventuality. I think it is ridiculous. Unless the security services and the banks are afraid that the armed guards would attempt to rob the bank. From the last robbery (attempt) it would appear that there were alarms in place which the tellers did not use. Because of this I think that they need to be trained to respond to use the alarms in an emergency. Even if it means having a simulated robbery and having them respond like we had to do in fire drills at school. This should also be regular so that they are prepared. The way these bandits are going about robberies brazenly, the day is going to come when they will attack police stations, too.' Phillip Richmond - private sector employee: 'I do not know what the banks have or what they do not have. Anyway I think that security monitors attached to a security station in the bank or alarm buttons which will inform the security firm that something is amiss are needed in banks. This would allow the security company to react fast... at least faster than the police. While I do not think that guards should be armed to the hilt at the entrance and exit to the banks, I believe that the bank should have armed security guards who will not be visible to the general public. The other problem is that the banks in Guyana do not have metal detectors and it would appear that banks may have to have metal detectors as potential robbers can walk in with guns undetected. Now that some robbers know that some banks do not have armed guards I think that bandits may want to be more daring.' Yusuf Mohamed - self-employed: 'We need armed guards at the banks because clients will not feel safe. Knowing that at anytime someone may walk in with a gun and hold up clients or the bank staff. I think that since the Anna Regina Bank robbery happened security at banks in the city should have been beefed up. Bank robberies have come to Guyana. That is something we cannot escape so we have to be prepared or don't leave an opening for the robbers.' Ray Charles - University of Guyana student: 'I think that banks should use the police force and not security firms which may have their own agendas - one of which is to make money. The police are trained professionally to handle criminals and they have authority to arrest law breakers. However, for a long time now there is the general feeling that the police are acting outside of their jurisdiction and taking over the duty of the court. What the police need, and it is being said over and over, are better salaries, and training and equipment. Members of the force also need training and retraining to keep abreast with developments taking place in the wider world and to better handle the domestic situation as well. If the police force is better equipped then we have no need for all these security firms that are springing up left right and centre.' Jenny Williams - housewife: 'I do believe that security at the banks needs enhancing in light of what occurred at Scotia Bank last week. An armed security would make you, the customer, feel safe in the bank. Now according to what reportedly happened in Robb Street was that the guard dashed outside of the bank instead of taking command inside. Even though it was said that he was outside calling for back-up. The fact that he exited at a time when his presence appeared to be most needed would send the wrong message. Now there are lots of state-of-the-art equipment that apparently was not used. This means that there is now need for the staff to get themselves acquainted with the facilities in place to beef up their safety.' Nigel La Rose - photographer: 'I feel there is need for more professionals in the security services. Banks should have trained guards so that when something happens they can respond adequately. Basically what the security services do is look for anyone who can fill a vacancy. Once they get the security contract for a place that is the most important thing to them. Yet they underpay many of their guards who work long hours. It is only a few skilled persons the security services have and those skilled persons are the officers who sit in the offices. I also do not believe that the banks should place a customer-friendly atmosphere above the safety of its clients. Even if there are no signs of an armed guard he must be there, even if he is there under cover. I would feel safer. These bandits these days are not coming with a little pistol they are coming armed to the hilt with sophisticated weapons. The banks must be prepared for them.' Arlene Rodney - University of Guyana student: 'While I do believe that the banks should have armed guards I do not like the idea of them displaying them. They should be concealed. Some of us as parents take our children with us to the banks and big weapons would frighten them. This is also applicable for places like the National Insurance Scheme which was robbed some months ago. Based on what I read in the newspapers, I do not think that the bank staffers and those at similar institutions in the country are prepared for the likelihood of robberies. Some routine drills on the security measures in their offices should be a part of their orientation. This last incident could have been fatal for the clerk. Staffers have to be prepared. Economic decline is forcing robbers to where the money is.' Evadne Duke - housewife: 'The banks and other financial institutions should have armed guards - not just armed with batons but with firearms. People are walking around with large sums of money and they will not feel safe walking into a bank and there is no proper security within or just outside the bank. That is why many people are robbed just as they leave the bank. Knowing that some banks do not have armed guards now makes me feel very vulnerable. I have always felt that there were armed guards in the banks.'
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