Securing the Festive Season: Event & Property Guarding Tips
“Whether you are managing security at a year-end event, or guarding homes and complexes while residents are on holiday, vigilance and deterrence are the top areas for security officers, law enforcement, and armed response companies to focus on as we gear up for the year-end period.
“Our security officers are highly trained, fair, honest, trustworthy, and professional,” says Fidelity Services’ Group Head of Marketing and Communications, Charnel Hattingh.
Guarding Year-End Functions, Parties and Events
“If you are on a contract, consider calling your security provider to discuss additional security for your corporate parties and larger family festivities. And even if you are not currently on contract with an armed response company, consider hiring a security company to assist with these functions and festivities.”
“At end-of-year events, a reputable security company will provide personnel to manage guest lists and right-of-entry duties on behalf of customers. We also take care of parking and vehicle security throughout the duration. We are there to assist in any potential crises, and all our officers keep emergency, fire department, and health service contacts readily on hand.
“We stay vigilant so that guests can ‘let their guard down,’ relax and enjoy their year-end parties,” she explains.
Hattingh advises that officers must be proactive in maintaining surveillance of the entire area, and surrounding environments during such events, using both on-site guarding, and CCTV feeds, and be ready to act should anything threaten to disrupt proceedings.
Guarding Properties and Homes over the Holidays.
“Now is a wonderful time to contract an armed response company, if you do not already have one protecting your home and belongings. Trained security officers will protect your property when you are not around, and uphold law and order overall, so you do not need to worry about what is happening in your space, whether you are out travelling to visit loved ones or enjoying a well-deserved vacation,” Hattingh says.
“The presence of security officers is a highly effective deterrent, especially if your officers are vigilant, proactive, and quick to react to anything untoward. Our security officers are trained and empowered to act swiftly against anyone committing major crimes like burglaries or kidnappings. They will also actively prevent anyone in the area from committing minor infractions like illegal dumping, public inebriation, or fighting.”
“Security officers will patrol regularly – continuously if necessary – and also station manned watch posts at any particularly vulnerable points, or high-traffic areas,” she explains. “In addition to constant monitoring of CCTV surveillance feeds, our security officers’ on-the-ground observations are also very important, and we instruct our officers to immediately report anything suspicious or irregular.”
“Security officers play an essential role in South African society, in which crime rates remain high, and their presence contributes to a secure and peaceful atmosphere. This is especially crucial during large end-of-year gatherings, and when you are away from your home, as these are both times of heightened vulnerability and risk, where you might need some extra protection.”
