As Tax Day approaches, the Arlington Police Department is warning the public about potential increases in jugging incidents. Although jugging can happen on any given day, law enforcement anticipates a rise in cases during tax season, due to the higher frequency of cash withdrawals and transactions. However, both individuals and organizations can take steps to minimize this threat. On an individual level, staying vigilant can help reduce the likelihood of becoming a target. Additionally, businesses can strengthen their security protocols by integrating license plate recognition (LPR) software into their current video surveillance systems. By adopting these strategies, both individuals and businesses can work together to reduce the risk of jugging incidents during tax season.
What Tax Season Means for Jugging
“Jugging” involves thieves who wait around financial institutions, such as banks or ATMs, for potential targets. They may either assault victims as they exit these locations or follow them to another destination, where they proceed to rob them. Apart from monetary losses, jugging can cause emotional and physical harm to victims and, in the worst cases, fatalities.
In one incident that recently occurred, a car of suspects followed the victim from the bank to a nearby shopping plaza. After parking and entering the building, the suspects’ vehicle pulled up next to the victim’s car, broke through the window, and stole the money he had just withdrawn before speeding away. Fortunately, the victim was unharmed as they were indoors at the time of the theft However, not all victims are as lucky. Last year, a woman tragically lost her life after being robbed and struck by a driver who pursued her from the bank to the restaurant she owned.
While jugging occurs year-round, this type of crime might increase during tax season for a couple of reasons. Firstly, people are filing their taxes and receiving tax refunds, resulting in an influx of cash. Criminals are aware of this and may specifically target those who are cashing their tax refunds or conducting other financial transactions. Additionally, some individuals may need to visit banks, ATMs, and other financial institutions to prepare their finances ahead of filing. This gives criminals more opportunities to identify and target potential victims. Due to the uptick in financial activity and the increased number of individuals carrying cash, the likelihood of jugging incidents tends to rise.
Protecting Yourself: Tips for Individuals
To protect yourself from falling victim to jugging, it’s essential to stay alert and steer clear of behaviors that might make you an attractive target. Here are some helpful tips, and remember, if you see something, say something.
- Be aware of your surroundings when visiting banks, ATMs, and other financial institutions.
- Avoid making large cash withdrawals. If you must, conceal the cash in a discreet wallet or envelope.
- After visiting a bank, lock your vehicle as soon as you get inside and leave immediately.
- Try not to make any extra stops after leaving the bank.
- Avoid carrying large sums of cash whenever possible. Use alternative payment methods such as debit cards or mobile payment apps.
- If you believe you’re being followed, contact law enforcement and drive to the nearest police station.
Protecting Your Business: Using LPR Software
Even though each person is responsible for their personal safety, business owners have an obligation to secure their premises to ensure the well-being of everyone present. By integrating license plate recognition (LPR) software into their surveillance systems, businesses can keep a closer eye on events and effectively protect themselves, their employees, and their customers from potential jugging incidents.
Threat Detection
Cameras equipped with LPR software capture important information as vehicles drive through the premises, such as entry and exit times. By comparing these timestamps, businesses can monitor the amount of time each vehicle spends in the parking lot. This helps them to identify suspicious vehicles, particularly those loitering in parking lots, potentially scouting for targets. When these vehicles are detected, the business can take immediate action, either by intensifying monitoring efforts or by requesting the vehicle to vacate the premises. Organizations can also use LPR software to track vehicles leaving immediately after a customer departs, which may indicate a perpetrator trailing the victim to another location to commit robbery.
Vehicle Identification
In addition to recording entry and exit times, LPR software collects crucial details about vehicles, including color, make, model, year, and direction of travel. Should a jugging incident occur, the business can review their vehicle logs to determine the suspected vehicle. This data helps law enforcement agencies in identifying and tracking suspects involved in such incidents, ultimately leading to their arrest and deterring future attempts. Moreover, authorities can release this information to the public to aid in locating suspects if they attempt to strike again. Other businesses with LPR systems can then input these details and receive alerts if the vehicle is detected on their premises.
Commercial LPR Solutions from PLACA.AI
Tax Day is already an anxiety-inducing event for many, and the increased threat of jugging only adds to those concerns. However, you can minimize your chances of becoming a victim by staying vigilant and avoiding situations that could make you a target. If you’re a business owner, adopting LPR technology can provide added protection for your staff and clientele, alleviating some of the strain during this stressful period. With PLACA.AI, incorporating LPR technology into your existing surveillance system is easy and affordable. PLACA.AI is a cloud-based LPR software that works with any IP camera, eliminating the need to invest in specialized LPR cameras.
Getting started with PLACA.AI only takes 3 simple steps: subscribe to a monthly plan, connect your cameras to the PLACA.AI cloud, and begin recording. You can sign up for a plan today by reaching out to the 2M Technology sales team at +1 (877) 926-2288 or at sales@2mtechnology.net. If you would like to see PLACA.AI in action before subscribing, sign up for a free demo through the link below.