Fight Crime Before It Happens
Bread & Butter, June 2001

Robbery is one of the most serious problems that can occur at a restaurant. Follow these guidelines to reduce your exposure to robbery-and to react in a safe and proper manner should one occur.

Lock out inside jobs

• Get to know your employees. Many robberies are inside jobs committed by disgruntled former or current employees. "If they feel that you see them as something more than robots, they will be much less likely to menace you and your staff," says Walter Matthey, a former manager at Old Country Buffet in Glen Burnie, Maryland, who has learned from experience. Former employees robbed his establishment while he was on duty. If you suspect that an employee is disgruntled, talk to him or her to try to settle any conflicts. 
• Conduct thorough background checks and ask for job references. Background checks can uncover an applicant who might be a robbery or violence risk, says Matthey. Be careful, however, because there are certain legal restrictions or obligations that apply when learning an applicant's credit history, driving record and legal status, says Peter Kilgore, National Restaurant Association senior vice president and general counsel. Check with experienced counsel for guidelines.

Stay safe and sound 

• Secure your backdoor. Avoid leaving your backdoor unlocked, especially at night, recommends Matthey, and make sure that your alarm is operational. 
• Close promptly. Lock all doors at closing time after customers vacate the restaurant, says Steven Grover, vice president of the National Restaurant Association's Health and Safety Regulatory Affairs Department.
• Shine some light on the situation. Install adequate lighting in and around your establishment, says Grover. Robbers are less likely to target a well-lit restaurant. 
• Make your restaurant visible to passers-by. Establish clear sight lines into your establishment and place the cash register in a prominent position, advises the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's Workplace Safety Program "Robbery Prevention and Awareness" video. These steps make a thief's actions more noticeable to the outside world. 
• Report prowlers. Notify the police if you see suspicious people or activity outside your establishment.

Prepare for the worst

• It's important to train employees to handle a robbery. The Educational Foundation video recommends the following. 
• Never fight back. Instruct employees to give the thieves what they want. Workers should inform robbers that they are complying with their demands.
• Be a star witness. Advise workers to remember the criminals' appearance so they can later tell the police.
• Report all robberies. Once the robbers leave, employees should lock the doors and call the police.

For more information on the National Restaurant Association's Educational Foundation's Workplace Safety Program, call (800) 765-2122, extension 701.