Bank robberies too close for comfort

Recent bank robberies on Bay Area Boulevard have Clear Lake's neighbors stepping up their vigilance.
This week there was the holdup of Chase Bank adjacent to Baybrook Mall. Less than a month ago, the nearby Bank of America was robbed.
Although Friendswood has not had a bank robbery itself this year, Friendswood Police Chief Bob Wieners is paying attention. He said his department has increased its efforts to prevent bank robberies through crime reports, interviews with suspects in custody and an exchange of information with neighboring police departments.
We try to make an assessment of where it is that we need to go and where it is that we need to be," Wieners said.
Because of the lackluster economy, some Friendswood banks have cut back on having a law enforcement officer on duty, Wieners said.
There's not as many banks using peace officers for their security as there were perhaps a year ago or two years ago," he said.
And while many tend to blame the economy for the area's recent bank robberies, Wieners said they are often motivated by drug use. That was impetus for Monday's robbery, he said.
Folks get desperate," Wieners said.