Homeland security is everyone’s job by Schwartz

It was only ten short months ago on January 7 - a massacre where 12 people were killed at the offices of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France. Now, only a few weeks ago, on the night of November 13, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks occurred in Paris and its northern suburb, Saint-Denis. The attackers killed 130 people, including 89 at the Bataclan theatre. According to French authorities, three suicide bombers struck near the soccer stadium, the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, followed by suicide bombings and mass shootings at cafés, restaurants and the music venue in Paris. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attacks saying it was in retaliation for the French airstrikes on ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq. The President of France, François Hollande, said the attacks were an act of war by ISIL. Very soon thereafter, ISIL has threatened the nation of Belgium who immediately went into national lockdown. It should be noted, and reminded, that ISIL claimed responsibility for blowing up a Russian jetliner killing 224 people just two weeks before the Paris attacks. The resulting response is that Russia is aligning itself with France on waging war against ISIL. ISIL has now publicly threatened the west. Yes, the U.S. The State Department has issued global travel warnings for all Americans. President Obama has called for a 60 nation coalition, including NATO, to unite to destroy ISIL. That’s all well and good to have the peaceful nations of the world band together in a common cause to rid itself of ISIL but this is no easy task. Until that happens, we here in America must remain diligent in response to the real threat against us. And since it is stated that New York is a prime terrorist target, the NYPD has stepped up security and surveillance operations to the highest threat levels since 9/11, conducting anti-terrorist exercises. But we can help ourselves as well.  Owners and property managers of commercial real estate in New York must heed the terrorist warnings from our law enforcement communities who are saying it’s, “Not if, but when!” We must re-visit our existing security that is in-place and re-assess its ability with regard to detection and control of pedestrian traffic into and around buildings, in lobbies, loading docks and warehouses. To keep your tenants, staff and visitors safe, you must maintain vigilance. An up to date assessment of your potential risks and vulnerabilities by an independent security consultant is essential to strengthen your security and uncover overlooked weaknesses and perhaps deteriorating systems. Many building owners and managers have had emergency plans prepared. The crisis or emergency preparedness plan should address all of the familiar and unexpected potential disasters that can occur, but now it is imperative to highlight the potential man-made terrorist attempts that threaten your people, property and assets. A most important and critical aspect of any emergency plan is the periodic review and updating of each section of the plan and the testing of the plan by performing periodic drills on each section. Have the mission statement and the objectives changed? It has been shown and proven that exercising your emergency plans will direct your staff and tenants as to exactly what to do in accordance with the prescribed response recommendations. Knowing what to do will protect your people and property in a smooth and efficient manner. Utilizing the services of an independent, outside security consultant to review emergency plans and conduct periodic drills on the plan’s chapter content will further assure a building’s readiness to efficiently respond to an emergency or crisis that will ultimately save lives and protect property and assets. Safeguards International, Inc. has been the outside security consulting firm for a host of real estate management firms in New York for many years. We have analyzed all aspects of New York properties to assure that your building’s tenants, staff and visitors are protected and that your business systems and processes can continue to operate with minimum downtime, with a minimum loss of revenue and most importantly with no loss of life. What these plans provide is client confidence, optimal efficiency and productivity, and a virtually seamless continuation of business. The approach to security, safety and protection has changed. Take appropriate action now to contribute to our homeland security and to the protection of your people, property and assets. And, we’re here to help. Allan Schwartz, CPP is president and CEO of Safeguards International, Inc., Yonkers, N.Y.