Tips and Considerations for Civil Disturbance and Civil Unrest

A situation involving civil unrest or disturbance can take multiple forms but typically involves a protest or demonstration. It is imperative to plan for such events so that you have the opportunity to have a plan in place, increase security measures, add additional officers, communicate with the tenants and work with local police officers. Below are some tips for you to consider.

Pre-event Actions

• Review the following with Building Management:
  • Main point of contact for issues (Manager, Security, etc.)
  • Lock-down procedures for the building (# of people gaining access to the building, temperament of crowd in the building, complete lock-down or only limiting to badged employees, etc.)
  • Communication to building tenants on any changes to access control
  • Additional staffing needs
  • Templates for internal mass messaging to building employees and/or tenants
  • Worst-case scenario (Safe zones within building, Chicago Police Department intervention, etc.)

• Conduct a site survey of all access points and camera systems
  • 1^st floor windows, doors/locks are in good working condition (no cracks/loose hinges)
  • Unmanned areas are secure or can be secured if needed (dock, emergency exits – do not block exits)
  • Camera views are functioning and recording

• Inform staff of possibility of increased traffic
  • Remain vigilant with all post orders (Visitor Management processes)
  • Observe and report activity around perimeter of the building (Increased traffic, temperament of crowds, direction of crowds, protest signage/verbiage)
  • Review security officer processes
    • Maintain Professionalism – do not engage protestors
    • Be polite
    • Communicate with management
    • Document everything
    • Lock-down processes (Manual lock or access control software)

Event Actions

• Follow information via news channels and from management to monitor when activity may be increased in your area
  • Ready mass communications
  • Boots on the ground – Conduct perimeter and interior patrols prior to event.
  • Stay in the lobby or near CCTV controls during the event
  • Communicate as often as possible with management (Client and Titan)
  • Be ready to respond to emergency situations
  • Be prepared to hold over security, engineering, or management staffing

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4  (855-777-8274).