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Bank Robberies Are Up, But Not Because of the Economy

Police say the numbers are up because banks are lax on security.

Tuesday, Nov 25, 2008 | Updated 1:57 PM EDT

Bank Robberies Are Up, But Not Because of the Economy

Police say robberies can be curbed with common sense practices.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly says there's a slight increase in bank robberies around New York City this year. But he says it's not because of the economy -- it's because banks are lax on security.

Kelly says he plans to meet with the New York Bankers Association next week and will set up meetings with major banks around the city to discuss how to better secure the institutions.

Kelly says the majority of the robberies occur when an unarmed suspect hands a note to a teller, who then hands over cash.

He says robberies can be curbed with common sense practices -- like ensuring security cameras are focused and setting up more secure barriers between the tellers and the public.