Question of the Month: See Something – Say Something Program, is there anything else as a society that we can do? - by Doug Haines

The government, federal, state and local have been clamoring for our help. The See Something – Say Something Program established by DHS has been around for a number of years now.Yet, those “bad actors” continue to act badly.So the question becomes, “Isn’t there anything else beyond See-Say?”

“Yes, Virginia there is.” 

But first, the Monday morning quarterbacking has got to stop. After the most recent attack in New York City, all of the news outlets had the parade of “talking heads” saying they (NYPD) should have done this or that.

We, as a society, must realize that preventing and stopping criminal activity is a matter of risk management.I applaud the NYPD for their efforts.I know they are analyzing risks every day and determining where to put their limited resources. Although, I don’t have any insider info, I imagine they are trying to reduce risks to the largest number of people first. So they concentrate resources and efforts on places like, the Highline or Times Sq. High occupancy level areas get extra security measures added first and those with lesser occupancy levels, such as, a bike path on the Westside will be further down the list. It’s all about risk management.Unfortunately, there are just too many threat scenarios and too many “soft” locations where criminal activity can occur. We just can’t stop everything nor prevent something from occurring 100% of the time. 

That said, we can assist by designing the space so that it is not only functional, aesthetically pleasing yet provides a degree of safety. We can’t have absolute security. There will always be some risks.If we tried to design the space so that the risk is eliminated then we wouldn’t be able to use the space – so what’s the point.The goal is to reduce risks to a level we are willing to accept, in other words, fewer casualties and damage.I know for many this will be hard to digest and it’s not politically correct, as even one person getting hurt is one too many.So, we still need to try to get to zero.

First, the public must demand spaces that provide protection from a variety of threats.When the environment doesn’t and the public feels uneasy they need to let those responsible know how they feel and not let up until it gets fixed.

Second, leaders must stop using the excuse, “We don’t have the money” or even “worse, we never thought that would happen here.” Listen, we are the most powerful country in the world.We’ve done something no other country has been able to do – we put men on the moon. So, it’s about willpower and determination and nothing else.With that in mind, here’s a simple example of how willpower works. When the banks and car industries had their crises a few years back, what happened?The government allocated billions of dollars to “bail” them out.We found the money. And now you’re going to tell me, you (government) can’t find or allocate the money for a public safety “bail-out?” I don’t buy it!

But enough of the soapbox rhetoric, what can each and every one of us who’s in a decision making position (as architects, engineers, designers, developers, planners, security professionals) do?We can demand the same things that the public demands – safe spaces from a variety of criminal activities. And, as stakeholders, we can take it a step further because we’re actually in a position to do something – we have the tools. We can plan, design, and construct the spaces so that they are not vulnerable to attack.By using Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and proven antiterrorism concepts we can ensure that the spaces we are individually responsible for offer protection from, at least, the most violent of these current threats; i.e., the use of vehicles, guns or explosives as weapons of mass destruction. These are the crimes that can be perpetrated by a single bad actor with devastating results.We should address them immediately in all of the spaces under our care and by doing so actually extend the capabilities of our law enforcement folks in reducing risks to people wherever they live, work or play.

I also, believe, we need to stop looking at terrorist acts as such and instead call them out for what they are, “cowardly criminal acts.” Remember, “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.” By labeling them terrorist or what they do as terrorist acts, in a small way you legitimize them. Call them what they are “murderers, creeps, scumbags, etc.”

Doug Haines, MPSE, is owner/CEO of Haines Security Solutions, Ventura, Calif.