robberies to take place this summer involving weapons, including five which took place in July alone.

Prior to the Paraquet incident, Hayward's Liquor Store on Middle Road was robbed in broad daylight on July 25.

And the robber escaped with almost $800.

President of Island Wide Security Robby Aldred said local businesses need not become target spots for robbers.

He recommended that the time and location of cash pick-ups for businesses be varied to prevent predictability. He even suggested that money be picked up in unmarked cars.

Mr. Aldred also said panic buttons and on-site cameras were a necessity to keeping establishments safe.

He said a no helmet policy was also important for businesses where members of the public had frequent access.

"It's (robbery) almost impossible to avoid altogether, but the goal is to try and put as many obstacles in their way as possible,'' Mr. Aldred said.

"We get casual about certain precautions and we can't afford to these days.'' Safeguard Security president Paul Field said the key to deterring robberies was to be "security conscious.'' He said proprietors have to remember that cash was the robber's principle target so they must pay attention to how they dealt with and stored money.

"Cashiers should not be dispensing cash in full view of the public,'' Mr.

Field recommended.

He also suggested business owners "minimise the amount of money (they) have on their property at one time.'' He said this could be done by "milking'' cash registers regularly or through the use of cash control services.

Mr. Field also advised cashiers to put high denomination bills into "drop boxes'' that have timed locks or take several keys to open.

This way, Mr. Field said, robbers would be unable to access money quickly and easily.

He also said the entrances to buildings needed to be carefully monitored with visible closed-circuit cameras.