[1970s Canadian public service announcements]

Several years ago, bank robbery usually involved four or five heavily armed masked individuals storming a bank in true terrorist fashion. These boys were after big money and they usually got it. Since then, police have cracked down severely on the holdup gangs and banks, for their part, have implemented across the country strict minimum cash levels at all teller stations. Despite these measures though, holdups have increased somewhat over the past couple of years. At the present time, we're faced mainly with the impulsive lone gunman committing largely unplanned bank robberies, usually for small amounts of cash to be used for drugs or other personal reasons. Years ago, the most popular crime committed against banks was safe cracking or breaking into a bank's vault. However, these days, our security systems are so sophisticated that the professional safe cracker has largely become an extinct species. Those who are still at it though have not given up by any means. In fact, just recently in Montreal. Uh security inspection revealed a hidden camera in the false ceiling of the branch. Camera was remote controlled uh was equipped with telescopic lenses which were trained on the twin combinations of the vault door. And I I think the intent of the photographer in this caper was quite obvious. Today, however, the biggest dollar loss to the banks is by far through fraud and forgery. Frauds, of course, include everything from a simple family allowance check stolen in the mailbox right through to the most complex of stock swindles. Primarily though, we're concerned with an increased incident in stolen checks of virtually every description. Counterfeit payroll checks, forge certified checks, money orders, and of course, the bank charge cards. Fraud losses to the Canadian banks account for at least five to 10 times more than holdups do. The greatest concern of the Canadian Bankers Association today is the increased incidence of kidnap extortion type offenses committed against bankers and members of their families. While the police in Canada and the banks are doing everything possible to combat this vicious and cowardly type of crime, we strongly feel that the best deterrent must be provided by our courts in the form of more severe sentencing. even life in prison. >> Johnny was voted most valuable player on his team last season, but he won't be in the lineup this year because he has kidney disease. He needs a kidney transplant. Without one, he'll never play baseball again. You can help Johnny and others like him get back in the lineup. You can donate your kidneys after death for transplant. To find out how, contact the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Box 422, Montreal 379, Quebec. It's a habit. Smokers on city streets toss lighted cigarette butts on the pavement. Some careless smokers throw lighted cigarette butts on the forest floor. Result: A tragic forest fire. It's a law of the woods. Don't smoke while walking through. Sit down to smoke. Put out your cigarette and matches. Keep Ontario green. The largest single cause of forest fires is people who smoke. Don't be a firebug. Keep your cigarettes and matches inside your car. Use the ashtray. Keep Ontario green. Help prevent forest fires. Last year, old Zeke rad and burned the grass in his backyard. The fire burnt the bushes, which burnt the saplings, which burnt the trees, the barn, and the house. By the time he was through, miles of forest had been burned. And to think it all started in his backyard. Prevent forest fires. Don't let your fire get away. Most of the people in the world spend most of their time trying to get enough to eat. You can help. One person, one day can make a difference. Fast for a world harvest, November 20th. For details, contact Oxfam, Box 18,000, Toronto, Ontario. The black duck is the principal game duck in eastern Canada. The breeding grounds extend from the Great Lakes and Hudson's Bay to Labrador. They nest near water, but lay from 5 to 14 eggs. The ducklings learn to fly by August and are ready to migrate in September. In late November, migration to the wintering grounds of the Atlantic coast begins. The diet of the black duck consists of wild rice, grasses, seeds, and shellfish. For more information on the black duck, contact the Canadian Wildlife Service in Ottawa.