The three business-closing-time crimes in the Butler area since Nov. 22 might have been avoided with one simple security consideration. That precaution is: An employee in charge of protecting, or transporting money to a night bank depository, should be accompanied by another employee, without exception.

But that wasn't the case on Nov. 22, when the operator of a children's holiday train ride at the Clearview Mall in Center Township was the victim of a theft; on Nov. 29, when the operator of the same ride was robbed while leaving the mall; and also on Nov. 29, when the manager of CiCi's Pizza at Moraine Pointe Plaza in Butler Township was the victim of what police described as a strong-armed robber.

If many other businesses employ the questionable security procedure of allowing an employee to make nighttime bank deposits alone, it is amazing that there haven't been many more similar crimes here.

At the mall, where there are many stores, it would seem logical for several businesses that routinely transport money to night depositories outside the mall to team up to provide security for each other.

When that isn't possible, two or more employees of one business should travel to the night depository in two vehicles, the second vehicle illuminating the depository with high beam headlights, if possible, and the occupant watching for suspicious activity while the deposit is being made.

Meanwhile, having two or more employees leaving the business at the same time would reduce — although, granted, not eliminate — the prospects for a robbery.

Allowing an individual, with money bags in hand, to leave a business at night alone makes no sense, and is asking for trouble. The business operations already victimized, and other businesses, should review their security procedures to discourage incidents like those of recent days.

The security-procedures review also should deal with unlocked doors after closing time as well as improving safety for workers who must go outside to empty trash or to perform other chores, which can provide a window of opportunity for a robber.

The absence of security precautions on Nov. 22 and Nov. 29 remains eye-opening and troubling because of the message it delivers.

The message is that businesses are putting employees in jeopardy. And, businesses obviously aren't paying attention to their surroundings at closing time, when would-be robbers could be sizing up the possibility of a crime at some later time.

Security and safety consciousness always should be in place, not just at busy times.

Unfortunately, they weren't in place for the businesses that were victimized on Nov. 22 and Nov. 29.

According to police reports, in the train ride incident on Nov. 22, the crime occurred as the operator was getting ready to leave the mall; on Nov. 29, he was approached after walking out of the mall alone. The Nov. 22 thief got away with $558; the Nov. 29 holdup man took about $700.

In the pizza restaurant robbery, what police described as "a good chunk of change" was stolen.

Fortunately for the employees involved in these incidents, none was injured badly or killed. The CiCi's manager reportedly was struck by a metal object that caused a laceration. He received treatment at Butler Memorial Hospital.

For Butler area businesses caught up in the frenzy surrounding the Christmas holiday, it is unsettling that they now must be concerned about a robber or robbers on the loose who already have victimized other local businesses at this busy time.

The three incidents of recent days must be regarded as a security wake-up call.

In light of what has occurred, if businesses already haven't reviewed and beefed up their nighttime-deposit security procedures and discussed them with all of their employees, they ought to be asking themselves why not.