What are smash and grab robberies?
A smash and grab robbery is a burglary that involves smashing a barrier, usually a display window in a shop or a showcase, grabbing valuables, and then making a quick getaway.
When do they most often happen?
They tend to happen in daylight during working hours when shoppers are in the stores.
Are smash and grab robberies new?
No. The first rash of such robberies occurred in the
1930s during the Depression and continued into the 1950s. They then died down.
To what extent are smash and grab robberies tied to
organized crime?
Historically, the term “organized crime” referred to crimes committed by gangsters and mafia figures. However, today there are laws and regulations addressing organized retail crime (ORC). This encompasses smash-and-grab robberies.
So, what is ORC?
ORC is when at least two people work together to
steal with the intent of selling the stolen merchandise to others. In some cases, thieves are hired to commit smash-and-grab robberies. But everyone involved could be convicted under ORC laws.
What is a “flash mob.”
A flash mob is a loosely organized smash and grab. People, who usually do not know each other, meet via social media sites at a designated time and place.
Are laws too lax when it comes to smash and grab crimes?
In some states, the threshold of what separates a felony from a misdemeanor has changed. In California, the dollar value of a felony theft increased from $400.00 to $950.00. Therefore, all thefts under $950.00 are treated as misdemeanors.
A misdemeanor is a less severe crime, and most law enforcement agencies, which are struggling with staffing, are not investigating misdemeanors.
So, what can be done to prevent smash and grab robberies?
The best step retailers can take to prevent a smash-and-grab incident is to with a risk assessment. This is a systematic process that identifies vulnerabilities, hazards, and risks. The risk assessment could recommend, for instance:
>Burglary resistant or bullet proof glass be installed for display cases and/or windows.
>Utilization of security devices to lock down high value merchandise
>More surveillance video cameras be installed.
>Spreading high-value/high-cost items throughout the store instead of concentrating them in just one area
>Installing discreetly hidden police call buttons.
>Installing door buzzer entry systems. These are already in use in some jewelry stores
A professionally conducted risk assessment also would instruct store workers how to act should a smash and grab incident happen so they can protect themselves as well as shoppers.
Learn more here.
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