Library-Workers-Call-On-City-Officials-to-Place-Security-Guards-in-System.

Library Workers Call On City Officials to Place Security Guards in System

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

In a dramatic plea for safety, San Francisco librarians are now demanding the city deploy security guards at all library branches, echoing the broader concerns of a community grappling with the city’s rampant drug crisis. 

Business owners and librarians alike report a surge in dangerous incidents, ranging from vandalism to aggressive behavior by individuals under the influence, complicating the narrative of an improving cityscape. This situation has put a spotlight on the urgent need for security measures in public libraries, challenging the efficacy of San Francisco’s current strategies in addressing drug-related issues and public safety. 

The librarians’ call to action underscores a critical juncture in the city’s fight against crime and substance abuse, marking a pivotal moment for local governance and community safety initiatives.

 

SOURCE: 

Angst, M., Scared to deal: Library Staff Security Concerns, San Francisco Chronicle, 04/09/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



Recognizing-Warning-Signs-of-Workplace-Violence

Recognizing Warning Signs of Workplace Violence

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

There are numerous opportunities in workplaces for publicly humiliating events to occur: poor performance messaging, corrective conversations, negative relationships among coworkers, and disciplinary actions (such as termination of employment) can quickly evolve into situations where an employee feels humiliated, alienated, or even ostracized.

Many of these active shooters were fired or laid off from their employer in the days, weeks, months, and, in some cases, years before carrying out their attacks. The change in their employment status appeared to serve as flashpoints or propellant.

Security and human resources (HR) professionals know well that terminations, disciplinary problems, and conflicts between co-workers (including interpersonal conflicts and bullying) can quickly escalate and amplify pre-existing feelings of animosity and rage. These events can cause an employee to feel publicly humiliated and isolated, fueling a potential attacker’s grievance against a company.

Given that many people who experience conflict or termination at work never become violent, it’s critical to understand why others respond so drastically and severely.

 

SOURCE: 

Gibson, K., Brubaker, L., Simons, A., Publicly Humiliating Events: A Precursor to Workplace Violence?, Security Management, 05/01/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



Signs-of-Potential-Threats-from-Violent-Attacks

10 Characteristics Behind Potential Violent Attackers

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

The Terrorist Radicalization Assessment Protocol (TRAP-18) identifies 10 characteristics more closely tied to the potential attacker’s motives, and this methodology has been used across the United States and Europe to evaluate individuals of concern.

10-Characteristics-Behind-Violent-Attackers

10-Characteristics-Behind-Violent-Attackers

  1. Personal Grievance and Moral Outrage
  2. Framed by an Ideology
  3. Failure to Affiliate with an Extremist or Other Group
  4. Dependance on the Virtual Community
  5. Thwarting of occupational Goals
  6. Changes in Thinking
  7. Failure of Sexually Intimate Pair Bonding
  8. Mental Disorder
  9. Creativity and Innovation
  10. Criminal Violence

 

SOURCE: 

Meyer, C., What Are the 18 Behavioral Red Flags of Potential Violence?, Security Management, 11/13/2023.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Red-Flags-of-Potential-Violence

8 Warning Behaviors of Potential Violent Attackers

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Mass attackers rarely hide all warning signs of potential violence or conflict ahead of a confrontation. Instead, many present red flags or proximal warning behaviors that together form patterns of risk. 

8-Warning-Behaviors-of-Violent-Attckers

8-Warning-Behaviors-of-Violent-Attckers

The Terrorist Radicalization Assessment Protocol (TRAP-18) identifies eight unique proximal warning behaviors.

  1. Pathway Warning Behavior
  2. Fixation Warning Behavior
  3. Identification Warning Behavior
  4. Novel Aggression Warning Behavior
  5. Energy Burst Warning Behavior
  6. Leakage Warning Behavior
  7. Last Resort Warning Behavior
  8. Directly Communicated Threat Warning Behavior

 

SOURCE: 

Meyer, C., What Are the 18 Behavioral Red Flags of Potential Violence?, Security Management, 11/13/2023.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



Retailers-Must-Adopt-Proactive-Security-Measures-to-Combat-Crime

Retailers Must Adopt Proactive Security Measures to Combat Crime

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Beyond the financial implications of theft on retailers’ margins and profitability, the escalating levels of violence and the perception of threats of violence connected to theft are also a significant source of concern for retailers. 

Given the surge in violent incidents, an increasing number of retailers are prioritizing the safety of their staff by adopting a “hands-off” approach when dealing with shoplifters.

A secure perimeter is the first line of defense against external theft, including theft linked to Organized Retail Crime (ORC). ORC groups use tactics like theft and fraud to steal merchandise in large quantities. These groups can be difficult to identify and catch, making it challenging for retailers to prevent these crimes.

It is imperative that retailers adopt proactive security measures in order to combat the ever-evolving threat of retail crime. By integrating new technologies into current security strategies, retailers can not only address security challenges proactively but also fortify their ability to protect assets, fostering a secure environment for the collective safety of customers and employees. This strategic integration marks a significant step toward a more robust and secure future for the retail sector. 

 

SOURCE: 

“Elevating Retail Security: Integrating License Plate Recognition and Audio Detection into Your Safety Strategy”, Loss Prevention Magazine, 12/10/2023.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Security-for-Educational-Institutions-Necessitates-A-Multilayered-Multifactor-Approach

Security for Educational Institutions Necessitates A Multilayered – Multifactor Approach

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Security in educational institutions goes beyond traditional measures, encompassing a multilayered, multifactor approach that combines technology, personnel training, and emergency preparedness.

According to the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), an independent group dedicated to improving school safety, there are five layers of protection to consider: districtwide, property perimeter, parking lot perimeter, building perimeter, and classroom or interior perimeter.

Policies should be applied identically across all public buildings within the school district. Strong written policies can ensure that people know what to do in an emergency and can support security professionals in their efforts to drive compliance with essential safeguards and accountability. 

To be effective, policies centered on preparedness and prevention, as well as response and recovery, need to be woven into the fabric of the school community.

Layers-of-Protection

Layers-of-Protection

 

SOURCE: 

Grace, G., “Strengthening Schools: A Look at K-12 Security Layers and Emergency Preparedness”, Security Management, 03/01/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Cannabis-Facilities-Targets-Incentivize-Bad-Actors

Cannabis Facilities Targets Incentivize Bad Actors

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Cannabis remains illegal under U.S. law, federally regulated financial institutions remain reluctant to serve cannabis dispensaries, warehouses, or production facilities. 

As a result of this, grow houses and dispensaries need to operate on a cash basis, making cannabis facilities ripe targets for theft. The easily transportable nature of cannabis goods can further incentivize bad actors to take advantage.  

These unique risks have prompted many U.S. states to mandate that cannabis facilities install cameras or hire guards, among other measures. The risks have also encouraged many cannabis facilities to invest in creative solutions to ward off attacks.  

 

SOURCE: 

Bender, H., “Mastering Access Control Fundamentals for Cannabis Facility Security”, Security Management, 04/15/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

New-Normal-Armed-Security-Guards-In-Schools

New Normal: Armed Security Guards In Schools

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

The Kansas City School system already has armed security guards in the middle and high schools. The school is now looking for their community’s perspective on adding armed security guards to elementary schools.

It is important for students’ parents and staff to feel safe. The upside to the security detail is that they can often get to an incident much faster than law enforcement since they are on mobile patrols already. 

 

SOURCE: 

Abundis, M., “Kansas City Public Schools, families discuss adding armed security guards to elementary schools”, KSHB 41, 10/24/2023.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Detecting-threats-in-train-stations-without-compromising-citizens-privacy.

Detecting threats in train stations without compromising citizens’ privacy.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Surface transportation such as subway systems can be a unique security challenge due to the large crowds of travelers and the open, unstructured environment. Public safety officials (including mass transit operators, mass transit police, and state and federal law enforcement teams) need a capability to detect potential threat items on persons and in bags without negatively impacting the speed of travel. 

How do we detect terror threats in train stations without searching people or compromising their privacy? 

A video algorithm detects bags left behind and cutting-edge video forensic tools are some of the technologies used to secure train stations and protect the traveling public. 

 

SOURCE: 

Securing Surface Transportation: Video Forensics”, Department of Homeland Security, https://www.dhs.gov/medialibrary/assets/videos/22798. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Security-challenges-to-the-transportation-industry

Security Challenges to the Transportation Industry

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

The transportation industry is unique because it plays a role in both the minutiae of everyday life and the overall economy’s well-being. Providing uninterrupted and efficient transportation services depends heavily on the safety and security of transportation entities. 

Due to the vast amount of people frequenting transit stations and the importance of the items on ships and ferries, the transportation sector faces multiple challenges that evolve as the industry advances. 

 

SOURCE: 

Anderson, L., “What Are The Security Challenges Of The Transportation Industry?”, Security Informed, 01/17/2022. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats