Children’s bodies being sold. This is not a new topic, however, with the lack of resources and ever evolving technology, putting human traffickers behind bars has become even more challenging. We sat down with Detective Sgt. Brandon James of the Seattle Police Department and Jim Fuda of Crime Stoppers to talk about the issue.
To lend perspective, 1 in 25 children will be solicited for sex online. That was a 2017 pre-pandemic study, so Fuda suspects that number is even higher. Think of the level or resources it takes to try to combat that amount of predators. We are seeing the trickle down effect of vaccine mandates and the labor shortage across our country, including in the security world. The Seattle Police Department is also seeing that. The number of investigators they have, just fell and the job is already more demanding because of new technology. Calls come in all the time about incidents involving exploited children. One of the more recent, elementary school kids who sent inappropriate pictures through apps. What concerns both James and Fuda, is the ongoing lack of awareness of the danger that lurks online.
James often has to parent the parents, explaining that a child does not have a right to privacy on a device. We preach stranger danger, but he reminds us all that when we allow a child to speak with strangers online, we are inviting into our homes. It is the same thing. Children need to realize just because someone says they’re 12 years old, doesn’t make it true.
The hard part is once these children are targeted, the grooming begins. It starts innocently enough, questions like, what’s your favorite hobby, do you have a dog, what kind of music do you like. Then the perpetrator finds out details, like where the child goes to school and uses them. It goes from asking for pictures of a puppy, to the child’s “pretty face” and the decline progresses. Then if the child wants to tell, sometimes they can’t because of fear. Predators will threaten harming loved ones. Once inappropriate pictures are out there, there’s no way for them not to be. The bottom line is parents should be monitoring everything online, especially video chats. It is very hard to recover evidence from chats.
Click on the video to see the interview and learn more valuable information to help keeps kids safe! Visit our website for more videos just like this one!
The Client: In this executive protection case study example, PRS assisted a Fortune 500 high tech company based in the USA during business travel to Lagos, Nigeria during the fuel crisis in Western Africa.
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The Situation: The client had 2 of their senior executives flying into Lagos, Nigeria in late May 2015 to attend several high-level business meetings around town in various locations and at various times throughout a 3-day period. The travelers were new to the region and unfamiliar with the surroundings and risks day-to-day in such logistics moving in & around the city.
The Solution: The local PRS private security services partner in Nigeria has vast resources and experience operating day-to-day in country. PRS deployed 1 security driver and 1 close protection officer (armed, concealed, plain-clothes) to escort the business travelers for the duration of their stay. The PRS EP team put together a travel management plan in advance of the travelers’ arrivals and shared the plan with them via email to best prepare & familiarize the travelers with the EP team as well as rough expectations. The EP team met the travelers outside baggage claim at the airport, greeting them with a hand-held sign that was somewhat innocuous in name (actual names of individuals nor the company name were not utilized), and escorted them to their hotel and other meetings around town for the duration of their stay. The PRS partner has their own fuel storage cells that are private so the fuel shortage that was occurring in Nigeria at the time of their travel did not impact the business travelers schedule or routine. The travelers were returned to the airport without incident.
The Result: The client executives had productive meetings while visiting for business that were uninterrupted, on-time, reliable and professional allowing for the maximum efficiency of the use of their time.
“Alex and team were timeous, and flexible as the itinerary changed a lot due to the fuel crisis in Nigeria last week. I was also impressed that they were able to keep their vehicles going as they apparently had private fuel reserves at their premises. Thanks again for organizing.”
Juniper Networks
“Everything went perfect thanks. Alex and his crew gave us great hospitality, and operated in a professional manner.”
Juniper Networks
Premier Risk Solutions provides the best in class global protective, consultative and investigative solutions for organizations to adapt to evolving business objectives and allow for scalability and agility. Through partnerships and strategic alliances, PRS offers support in 65 different countries. Our clients consistently tell us that our solutions are a cut above the competition. We foster a collaborative relationship with clients and vendors leading to the most successful service execution for all parties involved. We strive for each and every service no matter how small or large to have the best customer service experience possible. At PRS you will feel you are working with a partner who has your organizational brand and integrity in-mind.
The Client: In this case study example, PRS assisted a Fortune 500 financial services company during the May Day (International Workers’ Day; May 1st 2015) Protests in Seattle, WA USA.
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The Situation: Historically the May Day Protests in Seattle have experienced violence and rioting that have targeted capitalistic organizations. Many businesses in the downtown corridor of Seattle have recently decided to shut down operations early in the day on May 1st each calendar year in order to avoid life safety & security-related issues. Much property damage has been known to occur during the protests that turn into riots as the day turns into night. The client themselves have experienced significant property damage in years past. The client desires optimal business operations during this day that will cause the least amount of interruption to their customers and employees.
The Solution: PRS deployed 7 agents from its private security services pool at various times throughout the course of the business day to cover higher-risk locations where protest activity has been known to occur. PRS also implemented a dedicated project manager to work alongside the client to monitor all social media activity related to protests and anarchist activities to keep deployed agents situationally aware of the protestor movement. Further, 2 of the 7 agents were on foot patrol and dressed to blend into the crowd to appear as protestors to feedback “real-time” info on observations, activities, threats, etc to provide enhanced situational awareness.
The Result: The client experienced zero interruption and zero loss. At several locations, the client closed business operations a few hours early to let employees go early in an effort to divert them from the main protest activity of the day, but also to help alleviate any customers from the very same. The main client point of contact was able to focus his energies and efforts on internal communications while being fed relevant, pertinent information to their business interests. PRS personnel ensured each employee departed their respective workplace location without harm or harassment.
Premier Risk Solutions provides the best in class global protective, consultative and investigative solutions for organizations to adapt to evolving business objectives and allow for scalability and agility. Through partnerships and strategic alliances, PRS offers support in 65 different countries. Our clients consistently tell us that our solutions are a cut above the competition. We foster a collaborative relationship with clients and vendors leading to the most successful service execution for all parties involved. We strive for each and every service no matter how small or large to have the best customer service experience possible. At PRS you will feel you are working with a partner who has your organizational brand and integrity in-mind.
Our CEO, Michael Delamere was featured as a panelist at the MSSGreat Lake Forum. In case you missed the panel discussion, we are linking it here in our blog. Along with Delamere, Craig McKim, Drew Neckar and David Schlecte, Mike talked about the skills security professionals need to have, our usage of behavioral sciences in our hiring process and advice on where and how to utilize social media. A big thanks to Phelim Rowe for featuring our company in this event!
Mike talked about how valuable soft skills as security professionals and how key the ability to communicate with the C-Suite is. We use people sciences when we onboard new hires to clearly define what abilities employees have and what tools they need to be effective and engaged. That ultimately leads to a better level of efficiency in organizations.
The one thing we pride ourselves on at PRS is using our platform to educate. When asked about usage of social media as a way to engage clients and do business, Mike articulated our primary goal. We used LinkedIn primarily and as a tool to share information not fear monger, but to disseminate valuable knowledge. We make it a point to provide original content and do it on a regular basis, so our base knows what to expect and when to expect it.
Listen to the rest of in interview in the video to hear about Mike’s view on business acumen and what the current climate is in higher learning institutions regarding private security. Be sure to visit our website for more videos like this one.
In this week’s video series, we talk about the level of security at stadiums and sporting venues across the country. With the labor shortage and Covid concerns, there in an increased number of challenges for security teams. James DeMeo knows all about those challenges as a sport security consultant and former police officer.
DeMeo says more now than ever, risk assessments are vital in keeping fans safe and making sure venues are doing everything possible to safeguard spaces with the available resources. That’s because one of the most prevalent is issues is a lack of help. DeMeo says with a shortage in security officers to work these large-scale events, it can prove to be quite difficult. He points out an example of a state fair. Communities are (in some areas) having to pull in from multiple agencies because of a lack in law enforcement. That could mean officers from many different departments who may have been trained differently or are not used to working with each other responsible for being prepared in the event of an emergency. There’s also the issue of the long days. Some of these officers are working normal hours and then have hours on a bus to help out with events and they show up tired. This is just one of the “new norms” that security is dealing with.
With all that is going on in today’s world, DeMeo wants to not only educate people on the current climate challenges, (in a non-fear mongering type of way), but also present some tips for spectators. James tells us an educated fan is a safe one, so here are five tips for a seamless fan experience:
1. Plan on arriving at the venue well ahead of the scheduled event/performance start time. This way you’ll be able to find parking, gain entry, purchase some soda & popcorn and get to your seats with plenty of time to spare.
2. Know exactly where you parked your vehicle’s location and its proximity to the venue.
3. Ensure that everyone in your family has a fully charged cell phone in case you are separated as a result of a true emergency situation at or near the venue.
4. Make sure you read over the venue’s code of conduct. Located on your Team’s website, you find out if you will be required to wear a face mask, provide proof of vaccination and/or negative Covid-19 test along with other pandemic and safety requirements.
5. Create a pre-determined meeting spot for you and your family in the event you have to evacuate the venue due to an emergency. Always follow the direction and guidance of first responders, law enforcement working at the venue.
DeMeo also addresses Covid and the challenges that is bringing to sports security. Click on the video for more and be sure to continue to visit our website for more videos just like this one!
