Crowd Control for Outdoor Events

Summer is here, and with summer comes a large increase in outdoor events. There’s a huge variety of events that take place in summer, in all sorts of venues. Whether you are hosting a small church festival or a large, international music festival in the middle of the city, you need the proper items to control crowds, and you need to manage the crowds in an appropriate manner.

We’re here to offer solutions. Keeping track of crowds in these conditions isn’t easy, but it is doable when you go in with the correct strategy.

The first step is to find out exactly how much space you have, and have a rough estimate of how many attendees you are expecting. That will dictate how you move forward. The venue also makes a big difference. If you are holding an event in a street, you need a lot of coverage so no vehicles interfere. If it is in a park, there must be clear signage so attendees know where exactly they are to go.

Another important aspect that must be quickly decided is how to establish a perimeter. This is needed to keep track of who is coming in and who is coming out. Some venues already have a clear perimeter set up, but many do not. For those that do not, you have to determine what type of perimeter you plan to use. A popular option is to use some sort of fencing or barrier, which can easily be purchased. You may also choose to have personnel positioned around the perimeter, whether it is volunteers or security. This perimeter is important for security, so be sure you have a plan.

Speaking of planning, you need to have a plan for managing your crowds in case of safety concerns. Consider what may go wrong, no matter how big or small. What if there is inclement weather? There would be a plan in place for alerting attendees and informing them of where to go. What about other things, such as a child getting separated from their guardian? There needs to be specific locations to deal with these sorts of situations, with safe crowd control measures in place.

You must also have a security plan in place. Are you planning to hire security? Work with local or state agencies? Have that established far in advanced. Give them whatever information you can. This includes information about the event, expected attendance, different events being held at the event, and more.

And don’t forget that you need to keep your guests happy. Your crowd control efforts should serve their purpose, but they should not make guests feel unwelcome. Guests should not be afraid of security or feel threatened walking into your event. You want to make this event fun and memorable for your guests.

A lot goes into planning an outdoor event, and this is only some of it. We hope these tips will prove useful, and that your next outdoor event will be a success!

Crowds and Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching. Are you prepared to tackle the crowds? It is being predicted that a record number of Americans will be traveling during this holiday weekend. This is being attributed to the fact that it is cheaper to travel this year compared to last.

Everyone is excited for a long weekend, but if you plan to travel you have to be patient. As there will be so many people out and about, travel times are going to be slow. This is the case whether you travel by car or plane, so be prepared.

If you are driving, there are several steps you can take. If it is possible, for instance, try not to leave during peak travel time. This would be Friday night and Monday night. Can you get off early and leave Friday morning? Leave early on Memorial Day? This will go a long way. You should also be sure to fill up your gas tank before leaving. If you can avoid stopping for gas, you can avoid busy gas stations. It’s also a good idea to check on your car. Check your car’s fluids. Make sure your tires aren't low. You’d hate your trip to be ruined because of a setback like that.

Flying? Be sure to get to the airport early, as lines are likely to be long. Make it interesting by planning on activities to do at the airport if you have extra time. Get a meal. Go shopping. It’s better than being late, as with the crowds getting a new flight will be difficult. You can save extra time by checking in for your flight at home and printing your boarding pass. Another good idea is to set up your phone to get alerts if your flight is delayed. That way as soon as you know you can begin making backup arrangements.  

Once you are at your destination, it is up to you. If you’re going to a specific vacation spot such as the beach, get there early. If you are visiting friends or family, you won’t have as many issues.

So pack up and get ready for the long weekend!

May Day Facts

What do you know about May Day? Did you know that it is often used as a day of protest, prompting the use of crowd control?

May Day is celebrated on the first day of May. It is not as widely celebrated in the United States, as the Puritans looked down on it. As such, much of the tradition was dropped. However there are still multiple people out there who celebrate it and use it as a day of protest. So today we want to offer a bit of advice for when you are out and about today.

May Day, also known as International Workers Day, often sees many protests across the world. These protests often center around worker’s rights. While you are not particularly likely to run into trouble, it is good to exercise caution.

This year is particularly different, as individuals are using the occasion to also bring attention to police brutality. Some rallies will focus on labor issues, some on immigration issues, and some on police brutality issues. Some of these rallies will actually focus on all of them at once.

Be prepared for the possibility of traffic delays, public transportation delays, and more. This is particularly likely if you live in a big city. Check your local news to see if rallies are planned so you may adjust your route as necessary.  

St. Patrick's Day Tips

Are you planning to go out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend? So are thousands of other people. Whether you are attending a parade in your town or going out for an Irish meal, it is important to be prepared to fight the crowds.

We’re here to offer some advice on handling the crowds at various events. It’s important to have fun of course, but it is equally important to be safe.

Parades:

St. Patrick’s Day parades get very crowded, especially in large cities. If you plan on attending one, have a strategy. You cannot expect to show up as the parade starts and get a good spot to watch. Often you must also park blocks away from the parade and walk the rest of the way, so be prepared if you have young children. Traffic is often congested so give yourself plenty of time, and drive safe.  

Restaurants:

Restaurants that serve Irish food are likely to be packed with people, especially at mealtime. If you are hoping to avoid the crowds, try going out to eat at a time that is less traditional. You will be more likely to be seated right away. If you go in and it is busy, give your name and stand out of the way of the doors while you wait for your table.

Pubs:

Like any other night, pubs can get fairly rowdy, especially on a holiday. Exercise the same caution you would when going out. Keep an eye on your belonging and be responsible.

As St. Patrick’s Day is a weekday this year, it is likely the majority of parties and events will be held over the weekend. That does not mean nothing will be happening the day of, though! Check with your town or city to see when events are being held so you don’t miss the party.

Most of all, have a safe and fun St. Patrick’s Day and don’t let the crowds get you down!  

Mardi Gras Celebration Safety

Mardi gras will be here in under a week. While many celebrations will be happening all across the USA, no one can deny that the biggest celebration of the holiday can be found in New Orleans. Every year, an estimated 1 million or more people flood into the city for the “biggest free party on earth”. If you are heading to New Orleans for the first time, you need to be prepared to deal with the large crowds.

The best thing you can do is know the rules and read up on safety tips so that you can enjoy the celebration safely. There are crowd control measures in place but with so many people, you have to be vigilant. We’ve compiled some tips regarding crowds for you below.

~ Keep personal effect such as coolers, blankets, ladders, etc at least six feet away from the curve while watching the parades.

~ Do not take up more space than you need. There are many people there to enjoy the festivities. Blocking traffic and other people from claiming a spot is unfair and unsafe.

~ Arrive early. It is generally recommended you arrive to a parade you want to see four hours early or more if you want a good spot. Some people camp out all day for their spot. Do not try to fight into the crowds right before a parade starts.

~ Respect the police. They are experts at crowd control and are overworked during this time of year. Follow their instructions to stay safe and out of trouble.

~ Do not reach down to pick up beads, doubloons, etc. With all the crowds, excitement, and movement, it can be dangerous. You may be knocked over or stepped on. If something is on the ground that you want, put your foot on it until there is a gap in the floats, then pick it up.

~ Exercise caution around floats. Crowds may swell forwards without notice and this can cause accidents. Keep an eye on the parades and the crowds, especially if you have children with you.

~ Never run into the street. Floats cannot easily stop and it is easy to be injured. Stay off to the sides and enjoy the parades from the curves.

~ Do not bring or display valuables while attending the celebrations. Thieves are numerous in crowds.

~ Unless you know the area, stick with the crowds. New Orleans has many pockets of safe and unsafe areas. Attempting to take alternate routes when you don’t know an area just to avoid crowds can be dangerous.

Exercise caution and common sense during this celebration and you will have a great time with a lot of fun memories. Go, be safe, and have fun! 

Crowds and the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events of the year in America, and because of that it requires a great deal of crowd control. This event attracts an average of 1 million people.

So what is the city doing to keep people safe? The first step is to amp up security. There will be officers all around the stadium and around the Verizon Super Bowl Central, which is a 12 block entertainment area. In addition, private security and crowd management staff have been hired specifically for the event. There will also be experienced security experts on staff. This ensures that there are plenty of trained individuals to handle the large influx of people for the event.

There will be fencing around the stadium, and magnetometers for fans to pass through before they gain entry to the stadium. Bags and cars may also be searched to stop anything from getting past security.

Fans are encouraged to inform security of they see something suspicious happening at the event. By having no only security but fans on alert, the chances of something going wrong diminishes.

The FAA has declared that the Super Bowl is a “No Drone Zone”, in addition to the 10 mile no-fly-zone around the stadium. This is to prevent consumer drones from causing an accident and injuring other spectators during the game.

It is also encouraged that fans take steps to stay safe on their own during the event. Fans should prepare by going online to find parking policies, what can be brought and what can’t, etc. It will speed up the process if everyone is informed the day of. Attendees should stay aware of their surroundings, including the location of exits. Fans must also exercise patience, as the crowds will be large. These common steps can go a long way.

 

The Super Bowl has been occurring for many years and has a good track record. The steps that have been taking in crowd control should keep it that way.

Holiday Crowds

Christmas is only a week away, which means that the shopping crowds are likely to grow as people try to get their last minute gifts. While this is great for business, it is not so great for people who hate crowds. Today we’re going to offer our advice for beating the crowds, or how to endure them if you can't avoid them.

Shop on Less Busy Days

With so few days left until Christmas this can be difficult to implement. The weekend before Christmas is a very busy time for malls. Christmas Eve is another day to avoid, and even December 23^rd has a history of being busy. If you can manage it the best day to shop to avoid the crowds would be Monday, December 22^nd. Shop during the week while most people are busy at work to get holiday shopping done without the crowds.

Shop Small Businesses

Small, local businesses are generally not nearly as busy as malls and department stores. Not only will this help you avoid the crowds, this will help support the local community and allow you to purchase a less commercial gift for your loved ones. Maybe you know of some already, or maybe you need to do some research. Either way, a local business is a great way to avoid being packed in with hundreds or thousands of other shoppers.

Shop Online

This close to Christmas getting your gifts in time is going to cost you. To some people however, it is worth it to avoid the crowds. Don’t wait much longer though! In 2013 many people waited until the last minute, and shipping companies did not have the resources or time to get everyone their packages. If you want to buy online, do it now.

Shop the Mall Early, or Late

Stores will be less busy in the early hours of the morning as well as closer to closing time. The biggest crowds will materialize in the middle of the day, roughly between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. This gives you a limited shopping window, but if you just need a couple last minute items this is a good strategy.

Shop with Acceptance

If none of the above options work for you, it may be time to accept that you are going to have to deal with the crowds. Approach this with acceptance and a good attitude. No one likes waiting in long lines and fighting through people to find the items they want. Be polite as you do your shopping and schedule a little extra time into your day than you may normally to account for the crowds.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year from all of us to you. Here is to the start of a great 2015!