by Edward Troiano, Founder, Knight Security New York & KTI
How to Keep Your Security Team, Client, and Event Running Smoothly
Over the past 7 years we have seen an increasing number of wide-ranging protests across our country. What was once relegated to significant locations – campuses, city / government building, news outlets – is now finding it’s way to events and venues, fundraisers, conferences, and other activations.
When a protest is planned, you and your team have time to organize, communicate with local law enforcement, order barricades and other physical measures, add additional security, create and layout an access control plan, and to set up specific areas for protesters.
But what happens when 150+ protestors show up unannounced, and your security team for the day is 6 agents?
What Immediate Steps to Take, and Quick Adjustments to Make
If a spontaneous protest starts, your security supervisor should immediately:
- Contact the venue manager and the client
- Pull event security from any post or location that is deemed less important to place at all access points;
- If there is not enough security to cover every access point, coordinate with the venue and client to maximize coverage;
- Locate any barricades on site to help secure the front, and use as an entry / exit path;
- Try to add a few security agents to your detail
Once those steps are taken, our clients always ask: “Do we contact the local precinct and or do we approach protestors organizers?”
In my experience the venue manager and the security supervisor should politely approach the main point-of-contact for the protestors, to set some parameters:
- Initially gauge their intentions;
- Discuss a location for them to protest that is satisfactory to both parties;
- Remind them (nicely) not to impede access for the attendee’s and not to approach attendees aggressively.
ALWAYS mention that there is no issue with the protests if the operation is not being disrupted.
My 20 plus years of experience dealing with protests has taught me to contact the local precinct and inform them of the situation, “at this time we are not requesting a police presence, but wanted to alert you as a precaution.”
You’ve Responded and Prepared. What Next?
Barricades are set up, security is covering all access points, you have communicated with the protestor’s organizer, they have their location where they can protest, and your attendee’s access is not restricted. That’s a great start.
Now it’s time to manage the event AND protest:
- Meet with the client and venue liaison to see if there are attendees or groups attending that might draw attention if the protestors see them; or they possibly are the reason the protestors arrived. If that is the case, arrange alternate methods for entry and exits
- Check with the vendors how they check their staff in. See if any waiters and or waitresses might not be part of the team, or any person might have snuck in through employee access. The most common access point used by protestors to gain entry is through employee staffing.
- The Security Supervisor should continue to monitor the protestors. They need to watch if any protestors join after meeting with the lead, to make sure they are staying within the agreed terms.
Now here is the reason why the local precinct should be notified initially – The first 100 plus protestors are staying within agreed locations, not harassing attendees, not obstructing the access points, and keeping it peaceful.
What happens if a group of not so well-behaved protestors are in the area, find out through word-of-mouth / social media, and arrive to stir up trouble?
Now you are scrambling to contact the local precinct after the fact, which is never a situation you want to be in.
If Protesters show up and are unruly and unresponsive to your directions:
- Follow the initial steps above (if you haven’t already)
- Contact the local precinct and request a police presence
- Be ready to form barricades that will allow attendees to access the venue
- Button-up your check-in procedures
- If the employee check-in system was subpar, you might want to re-check employees, or place security with them as a precaution
- Find alternate ways in and out for attendees
Again, the best approach is work with the protesters to provide them space without harassing or impeding venue access for your attendees. It’s always easier to work with protesters than against them. And remember – the security team can NEVER be the first to show aggression. That’s why you hire Knight Security New York. We are trained and ready to be your first first responders.