A year or so ago, when a woman disappeared after leaving the Mountaineer Casino near Weirton, W.Va., officials checking surveillance tapes at the gambling facility reportedly were able to trace her movements inside and, for a time, outside the casino's doors.

The good quality of the surveillance left no doubt about her identity as authorities sought to trace her movements and contacts while in the casino.

Why so many banks continue to employ surveillance equipment that is inadequate for the important task it is intended to perform remains a source of puzzlement.

The latest example of that problem came on Dec. 18 in Middlesex Township, when a man robbed the Northwest Savings Bank on Route 8.

As an article in the Dec. 23 Butler Eagle revealed, police still were being hampered by the poor quality of the surveillance footage from the time of the holdup.

While police believe they are seeking a middle-aged man between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall who had a scruffy mustache and beard, they apparently don't have the benefit of a clear picture that a better surveillance system would have made possible.

Until potential robbers have strong reason to believe that excellent surveillance is in place, and that it will be difficult for them to elude authorities in regard to their identity, Butler County banks will continue to be a temptation.

It is to be hoped that investigators will have better luck with the surveillance tapes made during a holdup Dec. 22 at the National City Bank branch at 364 Center Ave. on Butler's south side. Authorities confirmed that the crime was captured by surveillance equipment at the bank.

Fortunately, in the Middlesex Township robbery, a significant amount of money was not taken. Authorities haven't yet given any indication about the amount of money taken in the Center Avenue robbery.

Meanwhile, surveillance equipment at the Citizens Bank branch at Main and East Brady streets failed to lead to identification of a suspect who has been dubbed the "chameleon bandit" because of his propensity to change appearances. The bandit, who is wanted in connection with about a dozen robberies, held up the Citizens branch in September 2007.

Each time there is a holdup that isn't followed by an arrest, the message is delivered to potential robbers that inadequate surveillance equipment might be in place. And, obviously, that sets up the bank as a potential future target.

Banks and other businesses where such security is needed should reevaluate the equipment that they have on hand and update their judgment as to whether it is adequate.

It's true that, even with better equipment, there is no guarantee that a robber will be apprehended, especially if the robber is someone who lives far away from the robbery site.

But a clear picture is more desirable than one that is fuzzy and unable to capture many of the robber's facial features.

In the Middlesex holdup, the robber wore a gray hooded seatshirt; many men have sweatshirts matching that description. He also was wearing brown mechanic overalls — certainly not a rare outfit.

Despite the man's attempt to cover most of his face, better equipment and more and better-placed cameras might have revealed the robber's identity.

It is to be hoped authorities are able to overcome the surveillance drawbacks that they have faced from the get-go. If a casino can have good surveillance, so can a bank.