While in the midst of planning an event, there are many
things to consider. You are likely thinking about seating arrangements, the
entertainment, food, décor, and of course crowd control. But something that can
be overlooked is security at events.
It may sound pessimistic to say, but you never know what is
going to happen at an event. Mass shootings and violent crowds are
unfortunately a real possibility that you have to be prepared for. We’re going
to explain how to look at different aspects of your events to help you
determine what kind of security you will need.
·
Where is
the event being held? There are many facets to this simple question. Is it
outdoors, where the public could get easier access to the event? Is it indoors,
with few exits available? Is it in a neighborhood that is considered safe, or
dangerous?
·
Who is
going to attend the event? Is it an event that is open to the public, or is
it by invitation only? What is the demographic of your group?
·
What/Who
is the entertainment? Is there going to be music, or a speaker of some
kind? What types of events are being held during this gathering? Could any of
them be dangerous or cause an injury?
·
What is
the topic of the event? Is it for entertainment only? Is it political?
Religious? Is the topic of the event controversial? Could it lend itself to
protests? You’ll need extra security depending on how you answer these
questions.
·
Will
there be alcohol at your event? Alcohol lowers inhibitions and while it can
be fun, it can also lead to negative behavior from your guests. It can lead to drunkenness
and altercations. Have staff on hand in case something gets out of control.
By answering all of these questions, you can get an idea of
what type of security your event will need. We’ll give two examples.
Your event is being held inside a hotel ballroom in an
expensive neighborhood. This event is by invitation only with a wide
demographic. There will be music and dancing, so minor injuries may be
possible. The topic of the event is an opposite sex wedding, so it is less
likely to be controversial. There will be an open bar, so many people will be
drinking. For an event like this, you will want some minor security in place in
case the drinking gets out of hand or there’s tension between guests, but a
large police presence is not necessary.
Now, another example. Your event is being held outside, at a
public park in a neighborhood downtown. This event is open to the public. The
entertainment is a speaker, and the topic is political. There is a high
probability of protesters attending the event. There will be no alcohol served
at this event, but crowds are likely to be rowdy. For an event such as this,
larger amounts of security will be required. You would want to be in touch with
local police and possibly hire private security, both in uniform and plain
clothes to stop any situations from escalating.
By asking yourselves these key questions, you can determine
what type of security you need, how much security you need, and crowd control
measures that need to be put in place to keep your attendees safe.
