Improving bank security in the metro that's what a number of Omaha institutions and authorities are working to accomplish this week.
This week the Nebraska Bankers Association held Bank Security Discussion Forums in Omaha and Lincoln. About 60 bank representatives and law enforcement met face to face to discuss the latest trends to keep customers and employees safe like higher resolution cameras inside and outside the buildings, and more banks using locked entryways to buzz customers in.
“Clearly the banking industry is concerned about the security and safety of our customers and employees based upon some recent robbery activity,” said Richard Baier, President and CEO of the Nebraska Bankers Assoc.
The NBA says though nobody has been seriously hurt yet the crimes are becoming more violent.
In 2014, Omaha had a spike in bank robberies. In 2016 there were 28 Omaha bank robberies and there have been 15 through September of 2017. That number does not include suburban and small town bank robberies. Lincoln is dealing with their highest numbers ever.
"I can tell you we're at 11 in Lincoln this year, historically the highest has been 4,” Baier explained. “So for us it's a big deal and something we want to be proactive with and try to address the issue head on."
The FBI says they’ve seen more rural banks robbed in 2017 than before. The Omaha Police Department says gang members are behind a good portion of them.
OPD says they've had a lot of success working with the banks, and are receiving more tips since the reward money was increased to $20,000. If you have any information on who may have robbed a bank contact OPD at 402-444-7867.
