Drop Safes, the First Line of Security for Handling Cash

Any type of business that deals with cash is in the high-risk robbery category, and includes businesses and organizations as diverse as churches, gas stations, grocery stores, liquor stores and nightclubs. The first line of security in this high-risk category is the installation of drop safes to secure cash donations or to deposit excess cash from registers. Drop safes or drop boxes as they are sometimes called have been designed with a slot or opening at the top for the easy depositing of cash or other valuable items.

From Top Left - Single Key Drop Safe, Wall Mounted Drop Safe, Duel Key Drop Safe

To stop would be thieves from accessing drop safes via the opening and “fishing” out the contents, drop safes will have either a baffle attached to the slot, a hinged hopper similar to bank deposit safes or a rotary hopper mounted on its top. Anchoring the drop safe to a bench or under a counter using the pre-drilled anchoring holes in the drop safes base provides another level of security. Anchoring drop safes prevents thieves from simply picking up the drop safe and walking out with it.
Drop safes come with a number of locking options including single key locks, dual key locks and electronic keypad mechanisms. The locking option chosen will be dependent upon what procedures the business or organization has in place with each type of lock providing owners with a solution suitable to their business.
Drop safes when used in conjunction with a cash management strategy are an excellent security measure for businesses receiving cash payments, checks or cash takings. However, it must be remembered that drop safes are designed as a mid to low security measure and being non-fireproof, should only be used for the temporary security of valuables. The contents of drop safes must be cleared regularly, and then secured in a burglary rated safe, preferably a safe with a fireproof rating, ready for the banking cycle. Never leave cash or valuables in drop safes overnight.
Robbers regularly target bars and nightclubs due to the large amounts of cash held on the premises at night. It is imperative that businesses operating at night such as nightclubs, liquor stores, late night convenience stores etc. have well hidden drop safes, a burglary rated safe and maintain a strict cash management procedures.