Articles Posted in Public Service Announcements

Following the recent Orlando nightclub tragedy, CNBC spoke with industry security consultants, Bob Smith and Cynthia Harris, to address common nightclub security vulnerabilities and what bar and nightclub owners can do to deter crime and protect patrons.

Vulnerabilities & Preventative Techniques

• “Whether it’s a bar, nightclub, church or school, business owners need to assess inherent threats to their location based on local crime rates and previous incidents.”
• “[B]usinesses can strengthen security protocols by instituting pat-downs or metal detection devices at entrances; stipulating that music in the location is turned off during an altercation; and training staff regularly to deal with threats.”
• “[A] major vulnerability for bars and nightclubs, specifically, is the time at which these locations close….not only have the patrons at the business likely been drinking, but the staff is nearing the end of their shifts and could be tired and less vigilant.”

Read full report at CNBC.

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The Huffington Post reports, “apartments have an 85 percent greater chance of being burglarized than a single family homeowner or rental property.” While apartment security is the responsibility of the owner and management company, tenants can take steps to deter crime and protect their families.

Before signing a lease, The Huntington Post urges tenants to consider the safety tips outlined below:

1. Home security systems: Today’s systems are wireless and portable. You don’t need to own a house or have a contractor install it. Ask if you have permission to install an in-apartment home security system with motion detectors. This should not be negotiable.
2. Peephole: Require a peephole on your door.
3. Door security: If the doors are glass-paned opposed to solid-core doors, then your potential landlord isn’t concerned about your security. Doors should have a knob lock and a deadbolt, and the doorjamb and hinges should be reinforced.
4. Surveillance cameras: Having one to 16 cameras with signage lets the bad guy know he’s being watched. Most camera systems can be remotely accessed with your mobile phone or tablet.
5. High-wattage sodium lighting: You cameras will work better with good lighting. Exterior lighting on the perimeter lets the bad guy know he can’t hide.
6. Parking lot security fencing: Perimeter fencing six feet high is a great deterrent.

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The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of nightclub security negligence and their families. More importantly, we help these victims and their families obtain the justice they deserve. The tragic common denominator behind all of these cases is that they may have been prevented with proper venue security and safety precautions.

Nightclub & Bar magazine has published “5 Security Mistakes Failing Owners Make,” outlined below. We urge nightclub owners to learn from these mistakes and be proactive in creating a safe and secure atmosphere for their patrons.

1. Inadequate Hiring Practices: Managers do not perform real interviews or go through a background vetting process.

2. Inadequate raining: No actual educational training to give employees true guidelines, limits and methods to solve problems.

3. Inadequate Supervision: Managers doing too much or something else at the wrong time; in the office, behind the bar, in the kitchen or off the property when they are needed for true crisis management of an event.

4. Inadequate Number of Guards: Too often, operators think they can do the job with fewer guard than is safe or managers get a false sense of safety after a few weekends without any incidents causing them to cut security staff to save on payroll.

5. Inadequate Policies and Procedures: Employees must be given guidelines on the operation from management.  Employees must be given expectations on what to do regarding the operation and these policies must be trained and reiterated.

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