Informed Opinions on Today’s Topics : Banking on ATMs at the Police Station

Last week, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to install automated teller machines at police stations in Northridge and the Wilshire area. The decision comes in the wake of customers’ growing concerns about banking-related crime, including the March 31 slaying of a pregnant 29-year-old woman near a Sherman Oaks ATM. As proposed by Councilman Hal Bernson, ATMs will be installed by the Police Department credit union in the lobbies of the Devonshire and Wilshire stations on a trial basis before a decision is made whether to include them in all 18 bureaus citywide.

Should automated teller machines be installed in all Los Angeles police station lobbies?

Martin Pomeroy, LAPD deputy chief in charge of the Valley Bureau:

“It’s a good idea. It will allow police and the community to interact in a way that is not traditional to police work. (ATM customers) are not victims; they are not suspects. I’m hopeful that it will reduce ATM crime. The very fact that it is an issue will cause people to exercise some caution. It should be positive. (The police and the community) should have a greater understanding of one another.”

Hal Bernson, city councilman whose district includes parts of Northridge, Chatsworth and Granada Hills:

“I am very happy to see my proposal to put (ATMs) in the public lobbies of police stations receive such approval. With an escalating problem of crime, this gives our citizens a 24-hour safe place to take care of their financial needs without fear. From a Police Department point of view, this gives them an opportunity for a positive contact with citizens. Everyone comes out a winner.”

Tony Lucente, president of the Studio City Residents Assn.:

“Putting ATMs (into police stations) may have some impact and it may draw some people into the stations, but the impact is minimal. Is this a program to enhance community relations or is it a crime-reduction program? I just don’t see a lot of people flocking to police stations to do their banking. These kinds of ideas are interesting . . . but it is a bit worrisome that the city spends so much time focusing on things with such minimal impact.”

Rian Lidschin, vice president of Tokai Bank of California, which has 13 branches throughout the state:

“I think people are in the habit of doing ATM (transactions) for the most part at their local bank. On the other hand, you do have ATMs in airports. There are free-standing ATMs in malls. I don’t think the ones in police stations are going to get as much usage. I think most banks would like to have 4,500 to 6,000 (ATM transactions) a month.”

Kimberly Phillips, spokeswoman for the Police Department credit union:

“ATM safety issues are a great deal of concern to customers. The public is now going to benefit from something we’ve already been doing for our members. A lot of people don’t have a lot of positive feelings toward the department. Now they’ll be in the station, they’ll see the police officers, they’ll be able to communicate with them. . . . I know I would use ‘em.”

Lin Squires, vice president and co-founder of Mad About Rising Crime:

“I think it’s a sad commentary on today’s society that such a move would even be necessary. This is a potential solution. . . . One life saved is worth all the effort we could put forth. . . . Some of the most important decisions in society have come about by trying things out.”