Chase to close ATMs at 5 or 6 p.m. in NYC due to rising crime

JPMorgan Chase announced it would close its 24/7 ATMs at 5 or 6 p.m. in New York City due to rising crime.

The new policy was mentioned in a tweet last week when the company responded to a concerned customer about the apparent early closing of the machines. It cited “rising crime and vagrancy.”

The time frame is similar to when the company’s city branches close.

“Our apologies. We decide to close several ATM vestibules at 5PM or 6PM, aligning the hours of service to that of the normal branch hours, due to rising crime and vagrancy that occurred in these previously 24/7 vestibules,” Chase Support said.

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The move was met with outrage by customers, the New York Post documented. But it was somewhat defended by banking officials and authorities.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed sadness over the decision, but he implied that Chase had been forced to take action.

“How about, people don’t want to walk into their ATM and see someone urinating, see someone screaming and yelling — people don’t want to go through that,” Adams said at a Monday press conference when asked about the move, according to ABC 7 New York.

“And that is what I’m saying I need to stop. I don’t want my ATMs closing down. I don’t want people leaving our city. We have to create an environment where people are safe and feel safe,” He said.

The New York Bankers Association defended the move as well, saying that the policy was in line with its priority of customer safety.

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“Ensuring the safety and security of customers and employees has always been a top priority of the banking industry,” the association said.