Keeping Your Events Safe

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.