Organizations Must Be Ready to Assess Potential Security Risks to Protect Everyone
Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –
Security leaders across environments — spanning retail stores, corporate businesses, residential communities and cities — should prepare for threats that will require fast and informed action. We all have experienced major cultural moments, including the 2020 election, COVID-19 pandemic, and nationwide protests.
It is critical for organizations to put in place security protocols to preserve employee and public safety while respecting the rights of citizens. Creating a plan and protocols to address these incidents will help you ensure a coordinated response.
- Establish communication protocols. Create clear communication protocols that explain how information will flow to key parties, such as store or business leadership, employees, customers, neighboring businesses and law enforcement.
- Assess physical defense measures. How can you protect your building from damage or control the flow of traffic and people?
- Promote de-escalation tactics. Reinforce your communication protocols during this training. Ensure that the safety of every employee and customer is the number one priority, reminding them to not get involved if physical violence occurs.
- Implement safety technology. Cameras, alarms, motion detectors, and motion-triggered lights can all bring visibility to situations, add necessary deterrence if you make the decision to close a location, and gather evidence to help law enforcement pursue bad actors. Revisit your existing security investments to assess their capabilities, and consider whether you need new solutions to cover your gaps.
SOURCE:
Kelley, M. 3 potential security risks to stay ahead of post-election, Security Magazine, 11/20/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey #mobilesecurity #securitythreats
Soft Skills Pay Off for Retailers Creating Safer Workplaces
Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –
De-escalating volatile situations starts with communication skills, which can help in understanding and then talking down a challenging customer. The overall goal in this stage is to calm the person down and bring him or her to a more reasonable interaction.
For sales floor associates, framing a conversation around collaboration or finding a solution to appease the customer is another tactic that can de-escalate a volatile shopper into a satisfied one.
Communication skills have broad benefits, helping sales associates communicate and provide customer service to shoppers who may enter a store in an aggressive mood.
Non Confrontational engagement with customers through the sharing of knowledge and tools on mitigating volatile situations ensures everyone is able to enjoy the shopping experience.
SOURCE:
Mosqueda, S. Soft Skills Pay Off for Retailers Creating Safer Workplaces, Security Management, 2/12/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey #mobilesecurity #securitythreats
Deescalation & Conflict Resolution: Strategies for a Secure Workplace
Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –
Ensuring a secure and harmonious workplace involves effectively managing conflicts and potential violence. This is where the concepts of de-escalation and conflict intervention become essential tools for promoting safety and preventing workplace violence.
Focus is on the identification and management of aggressive behaviors and empowering employees to respond to those behaviors in a way that minimizes the risk of injury—whether psychological, social, or physical—to the person in crisis or the staff.
Utilize these three non-content elements to create comfort in a stressful situation –
Tone of voice.
If what you say doesn’t match how you say it, trust is lost. Adopting a soft, quiet tone of voice helps quiet people down to ensure they can hear you.
Proximity.
During de-escalation, responders tend to come closer to the individual in distress to try and influence them. Give the individual in crisis the space they need to feel safe. Sometimes even miming touching the person on the upper arm can signal support and safety.
Space to vent.
Although safety must always come first, the best conversations take place with comfort for both parties, and if someone is not comfortable, it is important that we give them some room to get that discomfort out of the way.
SOURCE:
Meyer, C. Breaking Through to Better Communication During De-Escalation, 11/1/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey #mobilesecurity #securitythreats
