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SALT LAKE CITY — An unusually high number of bank robberies continued Friday night. In response, the Salt Lake City Police Department announced a "Bank Safety Summit" to be held Tuesday.
The latest bank robbery occurred just after 6 p.m. Friday night at the Zions Bank branch at 910 W. 2100 South.
"He came in with a hat and sunglasses on, approached the teller and demanded money," said Salt Lake Police Lt. Dennis McGowan.
Police say this latest crime is all part of a disturbing trend. In 2012, the Salt Lake Police Department recorded 26 bank robberies in the Salt Lake Valley. In 2013, there were 70, and only two months into 2014, there already have been 11 bank robberies.
Due to the rising number of bank robberies, police are taking a proactive approach to the problem with a "Bank Safety Summit."
"Getting everybody on board, making them more aware of what's going on and hopefully finding solutions," McGowan said.
Police said they have invited every bank or credit union and law enforcement agency in the Salt Lake Valley to attend. Key points on the agenda include first and foremost safety, how bank employees should react when face-to-face with a thief.
"They're unpredictable anyway, and then combine that with a handgun often times, it's an explosive mixture," McGowan said.
They also plan to address police protocol, including possible changes to their procedures. Police also plan to discuss having proper surveillance. It's something police say is critical in catching the robbers. Officers hope to get surveillance images quickly and get the public involved.
"We know people know these people and they're going to be helping us get these people off the street before the next thing happens and someone gets seriously hurt," McGowan said.
