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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



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



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

 

Protecting-Consumers-and-Retailers-from-Theft-

Protecting Consumers and Retailers from Theft

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Brick-and-mortar and e-commerce stores face many challenges. States like California have put in place protections that enforce consumer theft to shield businesses and customers from financial losses, making the shopping experience safe and reliable. 

 

SOURCE: 

Hutchinson, D., “Survey Reveals Heightened Retailer Concerns and Action Against Retail Theft”, Loss Prevention Media, 04/11/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats