By Deanna Reimer
To discourage homeless people from camping out with the ATM machines for warmth, the Royal Bank on the corner of Bank and Somerset streets has moved its indoor ATMs outdoors and into the cold, a Royal Bank employee says.
The problem of the homeless gathering inside the ATM kiosk forced the bank to lock the kiosk doors at 11 p.m., restricting access for customers, an employee of a Royal Bank on the corner of Bank and First streets who cannot be named says.
With the ATMs now outside, the bank can provide 24-hour ATM, a Toronto-based spokeswoman for the Royal Bank says.
Some Royal Bank customers feel the Royal Bank’s removal of the shelter is unfair.
“All they want is a warm place to sleep,” says bank customer Tim Smyth.
“Why take that away from them if they’re not harming anyone.”
The outdoor machines create a safer atmosphere because customers are no longer trapped within an enclosed space with strangers while handling their money, the Bank Street Royal Bank employee says.
The move initially caused some patrons to feel unsafe handling their money out on the open street.
“Originally I thought that it would be dangerous having no protection around the ATMs,” says Smyth. “But it really is no different — just a little colder on the hands.”
Most people using the ATMs share the same opinion, saying it’s not a problem.
Although most customers never felt threatened or uneasy using the enclosed machines, some feel safer using the outdoor machines.
“Now I can access the machines whenever I want,” said senior citizen Phyllis Gray. “And it is less intimidating because there are not as many people around when I do my banking — especially at night.”
Ottawa police Const. Tim Senack says there’s been no increased concern for theft in the area as a result of the move.
Although few have commented on the litter around the machines from bank receipts. This isn’t a concern for the bank, which will clean up around the machines as part of their regular maintenance.