Robberies during a night deposit are an all too common occurrence. While working or on duty, U.S. residents experienced 1.7 million violent victimizations annually from 1993 to 1999 including 1.3 million simple assaults, 325,000 aggravated assaults, 36,500 rapes and sexual assaults, 70,000 robberies, and 900 homicides. 19% of robbery victims report being at work, or traveling to or from work when the crime occurred.*

Bob Thomas, V.P. Sales & Marketing for Stealth Video Security, offers the following tips for minimizing risk to rent to own operators making night deposits.

Safety Tips For Night Deposits
1. Do business with a bank that provides some level of security where night deposits are made - a guard, or continuous video surveillance cameras, or police alarm button, for example.

2. Women should not make the night deposit alone and should try to make the deposit during daylight, even if it means going the next morning.

3. Avoid "routines", which can be observed and anticipated by criminals.

4. Follow company/corporate policy regarding night deposits, to the letter.

5. If having to make the night deposit at night, try having a person in a separate car drive through the deposit area and ensure that no one is loitering in the area. If there is no suspicious activity or person present, then make the deposit. The lead car can observe the deposit and make sure that everything went smoothly.

6. Consider disguising the deposit bag so it is not carried openly for all to see. Place it within a paper bag, or water jug, or brief case, for example, until the drawer opens for the money bag.

7. Be extra careful after one of your fellow employees that knows the night deposit person/process/policy quits or is terminated. They may give valuable "inside" information on the night deposits to others.

The National Association Of Convenience Stores (NACS) recommends the following for insuring safe banking procedures.**

-Do not establish a pattern when banking. Vary your route and time of day.

-Make at least one deposit everyday.

-Make additional deposits as necessary to keep the available cash in the store as low as possible.

-Only use authorized bank bags. Do not use envelopes or paper bags for making deposits. Place the bank bag inside a paper bag or other cover. Do not carry the bank bag openly. Once in your vehicle, it is recommended that the bag be placed under the seat or in another location where it is not in direct view from outside the car.

-Go directly to the bank. Do not stop at another store or at home and never leave the deposit unattended in your vehicle.

-When leaving the store with a deposit, take off your uniform. This is not the time to advertise where you work. Do not loudly announce your banking plans for all to hear.
Always lock your car doors. This is good crime prevention advice any time, but particularly important when making a bank deposit.

-When arriving at the bank, whether using a night depository or the lobby, pick your parking spot carefully and look in all directions before unlocking and exiting your car. Try to use "drive-up" night depositories where possible.

*U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics

**Source: NACS Robbery Awareness/Deterrence, Steps for Safer Stores