robbery & burgury

[James2011]

For a fully attended coin laundromat, robbery happens more, or burgury more?
Have you ever or have you heard that robbery in mat?
In order to prevent(maybe deter) robbery(like point of Gun), what could be effective way?
1) two employees close store at night?
2) it doesn't matter one or two employees?
3) close one or two hours earlier from now ~ end of year?
4) hire hired gun? ( like clint eastwood)
5) there is no way to prevent robbery??

[AlanR]

Burglary is more likely and more frequent because it's a crime of stealth in that it usually occurs during hours of darkness and, of course, when there are fewer potential witnesses. The exception is the last two months of the year during which the number of robberies skyrockets.

Prevent a robbery? That's not going to happen, but you can reduce the odds somewhat by having video cameras prominently in view. Also, do not empty your coin boxes or service your changer(s) on a schedule. Do that on different days and at different hours of the day because, if you're being targeted for robbery, your store is being watched closely for patterns by the bad guy(s), their friends or even your 'newer' customers.

Two employees would be just slightly better than one and having an armed guard is not cost effective because it would cost far more than you'd lose if your store was held up. Closing earlier would serve no purpose. If they want to hit your store, they'll adjust their schedule to match yours. The most important thing you can do is instruct your employees to do exactly what they are told to do by the robber. I know a lady who was told to lie down on the floor during an armed robbery and, while doing so, was pistol whipped because she didn't do it fast enough. The other thing employees should do is report any and all suspicious activity to the police regardless of how petty it may seem.

Bottom line? You've seen the news, so you already know that cameras, multiple employees, armed guards, holdup alarms, etc. don't even prevent bank robberies where the proceeds of the crime might be, and often is, less than a robber might get from your store.

[bodman]

I have had 2 burglaries and 2 snatch and grab (tip jar) and one drunk clean up man hired by my employee who reached over counter and took 85.00 from cash drawer . and numerous locks cut off pinball machines, they are polite , they put change collector box back and rehang cut lock back on door. all that over 4 years. in 4 stores. Ironically the store in the worst part of town has been without incidence. My attended store employees have strict orders to not look robber in the eyes and hand over the cash . we only keep 100.00 in drawer 150.00 in a cardboard box under counter, and 50.00 in qtrs under a cabinet. other wise money is in safe or changer. As for collection that is random only except for my attended store that I do payroll on monday between 7am and 11am , When I exit with money I usually have it in a clothes basket or soap/parts box or a dollar general bag ,my favorite is my tool box. The cameras are only helpful if the po po recognize the burglar. at the mat in the worst part of town i do have monitors at each door and they can see themselves when they come in store on them so maybe that is a deterent.

[surfflite]

Being coinless seems to be enough to deter thieves at my place. Open 6 years and ZERO attempts. Only 1 police call and that was a lady "off her meds" spouting profanities at other customers.

I tell my attendants to hand over the float ($200) if they get robbed, tell the perp that we are coinless and this is all we have, just for giving change. Lucky enough, nobody has had the test that out.

[Adamski]

Being coinless seems to be enough to deter thieves at my place.

Kerry,

I suspect a business' location dictates the potential for a robbery much more than whether the store is coin or card operated. All laundromats (like all businesses) have cash on the premises. That cash might exist in changers, VTMs, cash registers, safes, washers or dryers but it's there somewhere. I believe one of the best inhibitors of armed robbery is a good CCTV system.

[Duane]

All mats around me have been targeted and robbed one way or another over the past 3 years....

All except for my card store.

[James2011]

Duane, how they did? robbed during open hour? broke in after hour?

[Duane]

All mats are 24/7 and unattended most hours.

Late night stringing, washer vaults broken into, vending machine fronts busted.

[surfflite]

I'm also fulltime attended. I have CCTV and signs stating such strategically located so if a perp looks in the windows they see that sign. The VTM's (2) would take some effort as they are mounted quite securely into the wall. For your typical quick snatch & grab all they will get is the float. I'm just hoping I never have to deal with that. but this is America. :)

[STOUT]

For a fully attended coin laundromat, robbery happens more, or burgury more?
Have you ever or have you heard that robbery in mat?
In order to prevent(maybe deter) robbery(like point of Gun), what could be effective way?
1) two employees close store at night?
2) it doesn't matter one or two employees?
3) close one or two hours earlier from now ~ end of year?
4) hire hired gun? ( like clint eastwood)
5) there is no way to prevent robbery??

How about move to a different location! :eek:
Put in donuts shop and have full time police protection. :D

[BCW]

Earlier this summer, I had two kids attempt to break into my Mechanical Room. They failed, but rendered the door useless. Those steel doors and high security locks are stronger than I thought.

I wish the Cops would do more. Everyone knows there's a crack house just down the street! Now I leave all of my lights on until the sun is up.

Tom