In an odd twist of the urban vs. suburban debate, here's an interesting nuance - bank robbers are finding the open atmosphere of suburban banks to be more appealing than the bulletproof glass-protected tellers that one often sees in busy urban areas.
An increase in bank robberies in Connecticut's Gold Coast caused law enforcement to question why bank robberies had increased there while they decreased in Manhattan.
"...law enforcement officials tend to agree that relaxed bank security - often driven by an attempt to create a friendly atmosphere, without barriers between tellers and customers - can attract robbers..
If the barriers matter, this may explain the migration of robberies to the suburbs. "The most common areas to have these barriers are the urban areas, the cities," Agent Siegel said. "Once they get hardened, the robbers tend to go out to the suburban counties."
FULL STORY: In Suburbs, Bank Robbers Like the Layout

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

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Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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