What is Special Event Security?
Special event security entails high-level security strategies that are undertaken to special events to allow law enforcement personnel to control access points and event activities effectively to ensure the safety of people and property ( CNA Analysis & Solutions, 2013) . Special events are ones that have regional or national importance, and whose security strategy would naturally require extensive training of security marshals. The security details of special events entail complex, multiple layered communication, and all-the-time security surveillance. This means that special events must have advanced security given the high profile of such events. Special event security is exceptional and highly complicated, which calls for early preparation and planning. Usually, a security planning strategy may start way ahead of the actual event and calls for the collaboration and partnership of several security teams and agencies. The actual occasion will mostly be characterized by both uniformed and plainclothes security personnel strategically placed in and around the venue to ensure maximum security.
When is it used?
Special event security is also useful in major special events that are typically events of regional and national importance. These events may include presidential nomination conventions, world-wide sporting events, for example, the Olympics, international conferences, presidential inaugurations, elections, and significant religious events ( CNA Analysis & Solutions, 2013) . The special event security is recommended for such occasions because of several factors, such as the presence of high profile guests (who may include heads of states and government dignitaries) and large public attendance. The level of security needed in such events is high, which calls for the need to have special security measures in place. To ensure that protection is adequate, several security agencies may amalgamate or divide roles.
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In some cases, besides the local police, special events may call for the involvement of the army. The need for several security agencies means that there must be special security arrangements in place. Typically, security planning for major special events can take several months.
Special event security is also required when there is tension in a country due to political heat or terrorism. In such cases, special events, especially ones that may entail several VIPs, and political dignitaries, become potential targets for vicious political agents, terrorists, and criminals. No events pose a more security challenge than political campaigns. Because of the large gatherings, they would typically require an exceptional security detail. In most cases, political events may require anti-riot police to stand by because of high tension for protests that are usual occurrences during political campaigns. Generally, exceptional event security is required when an event is of such a nature as to host high profile visitors, or is of high public interest ( CNA Analysis & Solutions, 2013) . These events may pertain to political, social, economic, religious, or social spheres, and they may pose a potential risk to significantly impact the security and safety of the public.
What are the steps taken to secure a large-scale event?
Special event security entails more than just planning for the event; it is a complex process that involves proper coordination, extensive communication and training, and massive resources ( McCarthy, n.d.) . It is not just about dotting the venue with security personnel; it goes far more than that. Generally, securing a special event requires that the right security personnel be put in place to ensure that the safety of the guests, the staff, and property. Due to the high severity of risk involved with special events, several steps will be necessary to secure a special occasion.
First, the venue should be known inside and out. Understanding the nature of the venue helps to understand how porous it can be. In this context, ‘porous’ refers to the possibility of someone accessing the site through any route other than the designated entry point ( McCarthy, n.d.) . A staff back door or some door or window that is operable could offer an opportunity for the entry of unanticipated 'visitors' to a special event. As the first step in securing a large scale event, all the entry points leading to the venue should be thoroughly assessed, mapped, and manned.
Additionally, the security personnel should be made aware of those entry points, and a visual map of the venue earmarking the porous spots should be mapped on paper for all security personnel to see. Furthermore, even before the designated day of the special event, security personnel should be deployed to the venue to ensure that malicious people do not take over the porous points of the site to compromise security in any way. In the case where the site is outdoors, marking boundaries to establish the beginning and end of the perimeter walls will be of utmost importance. Portable barricades and temporary fencing is also crucial. Marking outdoor venues helps in making the commanding of the site easier due to the 'open' nature of outdoor venues.
The risk of the attendees should be thoroughly gauged. The attendees may pose a security risk, and security risk gauging can be done by carefully checking every ticket buyer. The process may help identify any suspicious person and prevent them from accessing the venue. Again, the risk of protests arising should be assessed. If the guests of events have had any controversial history, there is a high likelihood that protests or uprisings may occur. In the context of protest, the event organizers should be aware of individuals who purchase tickets in bulk. They may be buying them for their fellow disrupters. All designated entry points should be operated by security personnel to scan the attendees getting into the venue. Thorough research of the background area of the site should also be done. This research will help the security personnel to estimate the nature of security preparedness that they need to put in place. The research is necessary because different areas have different levels of security and safety, and the level of protection applied in one area cannot be used the same way in another place.
What support and outside agencies would you utilize, and why?
A special event requires partnership with several agencies due to the complexity of the occasion and the fact that several services may be required. First and foremost, the local security department is the most central agency to be utilized in a particular event. In most cases, special events entail government officials, and the security personnel involved are the police and, in some cases, the army. Whichever the case, the local security is a vital resource, and keeping them close and informed of the special event will go a long way in ensuring that the occasion is safe and secure. Secondly, the First Aid and Emergency services are another critical agency to cooperate within event planning ( Walton & Philpott, 2011) . Highly trained and registered Medical practitioners and medical emergency response teams will make the event organizers more proactive in case of emergency medical assistance. The Lost and Found service is also another central agency to partner with event organizers should make sure that comprehensively provide information about the Lost and Found services to the public before and during the event. The information may be dispersed through public address systems, flyers, or hand-outs ( Walton & Philpott, 2011) .. The Lost and Found service are essential in making sure that specific personnel is assigned to the lost and found points during the event and until the end of the occasion.
Another crucial agency to partner with is insurance services. Special events should be insured against civil litigations. This kind of insurance is referred to as public liability insurance ( Walton & Philpott, 2011) . In most cases, local authorities require that large scale special events be covered with public liability insurance as a minimum requirement. The local traffic control department is a vital resource to ensure that a particular event is successful. Liaison with the local police department is also essential to make sure that sufficient parking space is reserved, and that all vehicle traffic to the venue is identified and that all drop- off and pick points are planned well and coordinated effectively ( Walton & Philpott, 2011) .Additionally, event organizers should also liaise with the local fire department services. The fire services agency is crucial in preventing and controlling fire accidents, should there be any.
Provide at least one example of a special event and identify what security measures you will implement to secure an event.
One example of special security events is celebrity shows. Such kind of events requires thorough planning and preparedness. Because of the massive public gatherings of fans, there is always a risk of something going wrong. To ensure adequate security in a celebrity show, for example, I will undertake several security measures. First, I will coordinate and collaborate with the local police. The first thing to do is to notify them of the event. They will deploy officers to secure the event. The second security measure that I will undertake is to ensure that the event e is licensed against civil litigation. I will also notify emergency medical agencies of the event, and that an ambulance from medical teams is available at strategic points around the venue. It is crucial to take into consideration the risks that do come with hosting celebrities, say, for example, music celebrity stars. There is a high possibility of a stampede occurring, or suffocation. Thus, a medical emergency team is a handy resource in such events.
Another critical step to ensure the security of the event is crowd control. Often, large crowds are challenging to manage and control. Large crowds usually characterize celebrity shows, and the security risk in such scenarios is very high. Something is likely to go wrong anytime. This risk should be adequately mitigated. First, I will ensure that all the people willing to attend the show register before the event. I would ensure early bookings to avoid the spilling crowds if the people were to register on the same day the event is to take place. Secondly, I will ensure that the site for the celebrities is well marked and that the crowd does not stray into it. Lastly, and most importantly, I will ensure that the crowd does not exceed the capacity of the venue ( McCarthy, n.d.) . I will keep track of the numbers of both the staff and the attendees of the show to ensure that the number does not exceed the venue capacity limit. This is important in ensuring that the staff and security personnel are not overwhelmed. In most cases, planning for the staff and security personnel is made based on the number of attendees in an event.
References
McCarthy, D. (n.d.). Event security 101: Tips & best practices to minimize your risk. https://www.socialtables.com/blog/event-planning/event-security-101/
CNA Analysis & Solutions. (2013). Managing large-scale security events : A planning primer for local law enforcement agencies . U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/LSSE-planning-Primer.pdf
Walton, B., & Philpott, D. (2011). Special event security planning & management. Government Training Inc. http://www.governmenttraininginc.com/pdfs/Special-Event-Security-TOC.pdf
