After our company headquarters was robbed for the fifth time, I decided we needed to do a little better at bolstering security. Instead of relying on a few measly cameras and a security guard that was distracted most of the time, we installed a state-of-the-art security system and focused on eliminating inherent security threats. It took a lot of work, but after a few weeks we could tell that our efforts were really helping. We were able to thwart a potential robbery, which made me feel better about the investment. Check out this blog for more ideas on improving your business security.
Hosting a public event can be a great way to bring in more business to your retail or restaurant establishment. Live concerts or shows, parking lot festivals, or group contests can all draw a crowd. Unfortunately, a few people misbehaving can lead to problems, including theft or injuries. For this reason, it's important to also plan in advance for security during the event. The following tips can help.
Tip #1: Gate It Off
Your event may be open and free to the public, but it is still best to manage the entrance to the area. If you are hosting the event indoors, this may mean only allowing one door to be used as an entrance, with all other doors acting as exits. For outdoor events, you may need to rent temporary fencing to cordon off the lot so there is only one entrance. Each entrance and exit should also be monitored by a staff member or a hired security person.
Tip #2: Hire Security
Security is a must, even for events aimed at families. Contract with a security firm for the best service. They have the knowledge to assess your event by type and the presumed amount of attendance so they can assign an appropriate amount of guards to work the event. Depending on your needs, you may need some uniformed security guards to discourage misbehavior and handle any issues that do occur. If theft is a concern, a few plain clothes guards can also be useful.
Tip #3: Identify Staff
For the safety of those attending your event, along with both your usual and temporary staff members, make sure everyone that is working the event is clearly identified. The easiest way to do this is to develop event IDs for staff members to wear on a lanyard. Give these IDs out to your normal staff, temporary staff, and any vendors working the event. Security firms generally provide their own IDs for guards.
Tip #4: Be Honest About Security Measures
Some events necessitate more security, such as searches of a person or bags. This is often the case at events that could be considered controversial, or those where violence could be a concern – such as concerts or events with alcohol. In this case, make sure it is clear to those entering that persons and possessions may be searched. It is best to have security searches done by an outside security firm rather than by your employees. This is because these firms have been trained in the proper way to perform searches. Inexperienced staff could make mistakes that could leave you liable if something were to occur or if someone complained about the search.
Share22 April 2016
