On January 6, 2021 America watched in horror as protestors entered and then created chaos in the nation’s Capital building. State and local governments across the country are now taking measures to ensure that similar disturbances do not happen at government-maintained properties. The FBI has received information indicating “armed protests” are being planned at all 50 state capitols and the US Capitol in Washington, DC in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20th.
Our First Amendment rights include our guaranteed right to peacefully assemble, but as we have seen time and again in recent months, protests and demonstrations can be emotionally charged and don’t always remain peaceful.
The first rule of security is to have a plan and to be prepared for disruptive actions with an appropriate level of response. In these troubled times, companies need to prepare for the unexpected. Protesters have occupied streets, broken into and looted stores, and cost businesses millions if not billions of dollars across the country. It seems that no area of the country is immune from the threat of protests and demonstrations taking a turn for the worse.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused additional stress in many areas of the country, leading retailers to add security guard protection at their locations, many for the first time ever, as large, organized groups enter stores to protest COVID-19 restrictions.
We are currently in a unique security situation. Security guard training focuses heavily on communication skills to keep volatile situations from getting out of control. In most cases, talking with individuals is all that is needed to calm people’s emotions. While it is true that there are some individuals that are determined to foment violence and destruction, we believe that people mostly want their voices to be heard. They do not want to cause trouble or escalate the situation.
Private security guards from First Choice Detective Agency can help provide an additional layer of security in a variety of threat situations. Our guards are trained to respond appropriately whenever a disturbance arises whether caused by a large group or a few individuals. We help our clients mitigate the effects of these protests by developing a strategic action plan and providing highly trained security personnel.
For more information about our services or to request a security audit or quote for store and business protection and other security guard services click here:
