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Security Risk Assessment: Considerations for Public Venues

Security Risk Assessment: Considerations for Public Venues

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Negative fan behavior. Weather issues. Cyberattacks. Rogue drones. Security incidents at sporting events are impacting athletes, fans, and stadium staff, as well as making headlines in the media.

Other incidents, such as a crowd crush at a white-out game at Penn State and sustained injuries from a lightning strike at a UCF game, are also concerning. National news of active shooters, along with the constant threat of terrorism, accentuate the importance of preparedness.

Any public venue must consider event specific risk assessments to identify threats and vulnerabilities. Outcomes from this process will inform planning efforts, including the development of policies and procedures.

SOURCE: 

Allen, B., Hall, S., The Security Scorecard: Considerations for Sport Venue and Event Managers, Security Management, 06/01/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



Leveraging Generative AI to Mitigate Fraud, Disinformation, and Exploitation

Leveraging Generative AI to Mitigate Fraud, Disinformation, and Exploitation

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Fake news, manipulated media, deep-fakes—disinformation continues to evolve online, fueled by increasingly sophisticated generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) tools. Deepfakes in particular have been used to imitate individuals—whether in video or audio form—to achieve a number of criminal aims.

While intentional reputational damage toward organizations is certainly possible with deep-fakes, malicious actors more frequently aim to score more tangible and immediate profits or inflict damage on an individual.

Don’t trust the voice on the other end of the line. Scammers ask you to pay or send money in ways that make it hard to get your money back. If the caller says to wire money, send cryptocurrency, or buy gift cards and give them the card numbers and PINs, those could be signs of a scam.

 

SOURCE: 

Meyer, C., Putting Generative AI to Use for Crime: Fraud, Disinformation, Exploitation, and More, Security Management, 06/17/2024.

 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



Corpus-Christi-public-libraries-will-now-have-armed-security-guards

Corpus Christi public libraries will now have armed security guards.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Effective immediately, all Corpus Christi public libraries will now have armed security guards inside. Previously, only the La Retama location had armed security guards.

The school’s staff feel they don’t have to worry if some crazy person wants to come in with a gun or rifle. At least there is some security, we feel that having them armed would be a deterrent.

The reasoning isn’t linked to one specific incident but rather several incidents libraries have seen over the years.

 

SOURCE: 

Jaramillo, T., All Corpus Christi libraries to have armed security guards effective immediately, KRIS 6 NEWS, 03/27/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



Do-Armed-Guards-Prevent-School-Shootings

Do Armed Guards Prevent School Shootings?

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

In 2022, there were 51 active shootings that caused injury or death — excluding suicides — in K-12 schools or on school buses. There are roughly 100,000 public schools in the United States, meaning that these incidents are quite rare. Still, widespread worry fuels an active national debate about how to curb these shootings. 

Have guns stopped mass shootings at schools?

There are only a handful of documented cases in which an armed security guard or stationed police officer has stopped a school shooting.

A 2013 study conducted by the FBI analyzed 160 active shooter incidents found that most attacks are carried out in “a matter of minutes,” making it difficult for armed guards to be in the right place at the right time. 

Even when law enforcement was present or able to respond within minutes, civilians often had to make life and death decisions, and, therefore, should be engaged in training and discussions on decisions they may face.

For mass shootings more broadly, there’s evidence that unarmed bystanders have stopped more attacks in these early minutes than armed people. 

 

SOURCE: 

Esposito, L., Yablon, A., Do Armed Guards Prevent School Shootings?, The Trace, 08/14/2023.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Steps-to-Mitigate-Crime-Risks-at-Houses-of-Worship

Steps to Mitigate Crime Risks at Houses of Worship

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Every place of worship is different in physical size and design. Some places of worship may be a single building with just a few attendees, open one day a week. Other places of worship may contain numerous buildings and entrances with hundreds of people attending every day. Some are in peaceful areas, while others are in hostile regions.

When considering how to secure a place of worship, it is very similar to the approaches used to secure any property and the concepts of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) are applicable. The strategic placing of lights, cameras, fences, gates, landscaping, etc. can create an environment that is less appealing for criminal activity.

 

SOURCE: 

Ratliff, P., 4 Steps to Mitigate Crime Risks at Houses of Worship, Security Management, 03/20/2023.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

40-M-Contract-for-Armed-Unarmed-Security-at-County-Facilities

$40 M Contract for Armed / Unarmed Security at County Facilities

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

 

Multnomah County officials recently signed a 5-year, $40 million contract for armed and unarmed security at county facilities. The security details were deemed necessary due to the increased drug use and mental health outbursts have become more acute in public spaces, like the county’s libraries.

 

SOURCE: 

 

Peel, S., Multnomah County Signs $40 Million Contract for Armed and Unarmed Security at County Facilities, Including Public Libraries, Willamette Week, 05/16/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



City-Leaders-State-that-crime-is-down-due-to-increased-police-patrols

City Leaders State that crime is down due to increased security patrols

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Local law enforcement offices state that increased security patrols have enabled officers to respond more quickly to crimes in the area.

Officers are able to quickly de-escalate potential escalations due to the increased security presence.  Local business owners also state they have seen a positive change in the area.

 

SOURCE: 

Angst, M., Crime is down in Moore Square due to additional patrols, Raleigh city leaders say, 11 NEWS ABC WTVD, 05/17/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

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



Guard-Dogs-Employed-to-Provide-a-Physical-Deterrent-To-Shoplifting

Guard Dogs Employed to Provide a Physical Deterrent To Shoplifting

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

In order to off-set shoplifting that costs the retail industry over $100 billion every year, The Home Depot store has deployed guard dogs to protect their inventory.

Two security guards wearing bulletproof vests and MSA Security caps now patrol the store with a trusty German shepherd in tow.

While cameras and other technological anti-theft measures are effective, the more traditional forms of security such as guards and guard dogs will provide a more physical deterrent to thieves.

 

SOURCE: 

 

Crabree, E., Home Depot installs new ‘mobile’ anti-theft measure – but guard insists shoppers will not be physically hurt by scheme, The U.S. Sun, 04/22/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



Body-Cameras-Enhance-the-Safety-of-Civilians-Officers

Body Cameras Enhance the Safety of Civilians & Officers

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Incidents of abuse, aggression, and even violence are being experienced by retail professionals more frequently than ever. Alongside other preventative and reactive solutions, technology is coming to the forefront as a way of tackling this growing epidemic.

Body cameras promote transparency by providing an objective record of police-civilian interactions. They help ensure that everyone is held accountable for their actions, provide an unbiased account of events, and help protect agencies from libel. Body cameras enhance the safety of officers and civilians.

 

SOURCE: 

Wolfe, C., Body Cameras: What’s Their Role in the LP Toolkit?, Loss Prevention Magazine, 05/06/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats