Banks in New York closed access to ATMs at night due to an increase in theft and attacks

Early on the morning of January 19, an attacker threw hot coffee in the face of a man in the ATM vestibule of the Chase Bank branch in Midtown, reports AMNY.

In August 2021, a 50-year-old man was brutally attacked by a maniac with an ax in the ATM vestibule of Chase Bank in the Financial District. And in February 2020, a woman was killed by attacking her in an ATM vestibule at a Bank of America branch on Pelham Parkway in the Bronx.

When ATMs first appeared in the 1980s, they were seen as a big step forward. They allowed customers with cards to withdraw money at any time of the day or night. But a recent surge in crime and the use of ATM lobbies as restrooms has caused some banks to cut back on XNUMX-hour access to these facilities.

Chase said it is closing many lobbies at night for safety reasons.

“We apologize. We decided to close several ATM vestibules at 17:00 or 18:00 and open them in the morning. They will operate in accordance with regular office hours. This is due to the growth of crime and vagrancy,” the bank explained.

Meanwhile, Chase noted that he is constantly reviewing his policy and monitoring the situation: “We review the hours of operation of our ATMs on a case-by-case basis. And for various reasons, we may decide to temporarily close some of them for the night.”

Representatives of Chase bank did not say how many ATM vestibules are closed at night.

Chase is not alone in this decision.

Citizens Bank also closed ATM lobbies at many of its branches overnight. The bank cited public safety as the reason.

“The safety and well-being of our clients and colleagues is our top priority,” said Eleni Garbis, spokesperson for Citizens Bank. “Like a number of other banks, we temporarily closed some ATM lobbies at several branches in New York for the night.”

And at Santander Bank, ATMs in vestibules are not available after 22:00. City National Bank has reportedly adopted a similar policy.

Bank of America and TD Bank did not respond to inquiries regarding the operation of their ATMs.

On the subject: 'This is something new': robbers stole an ATM from a cafe in downtown New York

New York has laws aimed at improving the safety of customers at ATMs

Banks are required by state regulations to have surveillance cameras that capture anyone who enters their premises or vestibule. Recorded footage must be stored for at least 45 days. There are also minimum requirements for ATM lighting.

If installed outdoors, the cameras must record at least one meter in front of the ATM.

Many New Yorkers are afraid to use an ATM at night

On Monday, two women outside a branch of Citizens Bank in Long Island City, Queens shared their thoughts.

“I don't feel safe at night,” said Long Island City resident Madiha Iqbal. “Sometimes there are homeless people inside. Therefore, it is very difficult to go inside at night. You feel that someone can rob you and take your money, it’s scary.”

Wajiha Iqbal, who was with her, commented that it was not safe to use the ATM after sunset.

“Mostly drug addicts go at night. It’s scary, especially for women,” she concluded.