Sheriff’s Officials Take Steps to Help Banks Boost Security

Responding to a string of robberies in the normally quiet Las Virgenes banking community, the Lost Hills sheriff’s station has launched a campaign to curb what is considered a significant increase in the last few months.

“For our area, which has been very quiet in terms of robberies, it’s a significant concern,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. Bill McSweeney of the robberies in the Agoura, Calabasas, Malibu and Westlake Village areas.

In the past, the area averaged about five robberies per year, but since early October there have been nine robberies, including three at the same Malibu bank.

McSweeney said he gathered bank leaders, other law enforcement representatives and city leaders recently to discuss ways to increase security.

The banking community, he said, reacted swiftly and positively. Many members participated in an after-hours mock robbery conducted by deputies, who critiqued the performance of employees and provided information about how to help authorities catch robbers.

“We’ve also intensified the frequency that patrol units will visit banks,” McSweeney said.

With a few exceptions, the robberies apparently have not been committed by the same person or people, McSweeney said.