It may seem obvious, but not all active shooters are men. In Aberdeen, Maryland, a lone female shooter walked into her workplace, Rite-Aid, and started shooting. She managed to kill three people and wound several others before killing herself.
Why is it significant that the shooter in this instance was female? Most people would not expect her to be a suspect.
In the world of security and determining pre-incident indicators, gender is often a tool used to quickly identify likely culprits. While it may seem unfair to consider gender this way, we must take into account that about 96 percent of mass shootings in the US between 1982 and September 2018 were enacted by male active shooters. The need to look for females as potential shooters is significantly low on a social basis.
Nonetheless, it is critical to look at everyone in evaluating who is likely to “pop” under the stresses of work, family issues, or other social and mental health pressures and be the next workplace shooter. Learning about pre-incident indicators to evaluate each person in your workplace is important in preventing workplace violence.
Pre-incident indicators are important on numerous levels to ensure security. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently published a study on behaviors of shooters. Questions of mental health and interpersonal interactions were cited as the biggest “concerning” behaviors for those who met the shooter and reported concerns or, unfortunately, did nothing about it. See the full FBI report here.
AEGIS Security & Investigations is a Los Angeles based security firm that is licensed and insured to provide high-end armed and unarmed regular and temporary off-duty police officers, bodyguards, security officers, loss prevention agents, and hostile termination support. Additionally, we offer private investigation, consultation, skip tracing, and background investigation services. Our security training and active shooter workshops have been featured in news media and are renowned for their effectiveness and transparency. For more information or to contact us, visit www.aegis.com.
To enhance your security and to begin the target hardening process, we recommend the following:
The first step is awareness. This may include becoming a member of organizations including the FBI’s Infragard Member’s Alliance, security industry groups like ASIS, and faith based groups like the Jewish Federation, Secure Community Network, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). These organizations provide valuable intelligence, manuals, briefings and training. In LA, the Community Security Initiative of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation supports members by providing assessment, intelligence monitoring, information sharing and training services to Jewish schools and synagogues. See how you can build an intelligence network for your community or organization.
The second step is conducting a full audit of your organization and facility. That includes looking at its geographical location, physical security measures and training options, as well as the level of employee and contractor screening, emergency procedures, law enforcement response and contingency planning currently implemented.
The third step is improving and implementing best practices and monitoring the differences. This may include built enhancements including upgraded systems and personnel enhancements like adding security staff.
The fourth step is implementing a training program in how to observe and report suspicious activities as well as how to respond to them. It is important to remember that target hardening isn’t a one-time process. It is ever-changing and requires consistent attention. A professional and experienced security consultant in Los Angeles can assist in reviewing and implementing the process.
AEGIS Security & Investigations is a professional and experienced security resource commercial clients and the faith based community alike. We address the specific needs of all of our clients, and we have a unique understanding of the security demands for organizations that require security to not “feel” like security. So, where programs like the Community Security Initiative end, AEGIS continues. We provide expert security consulting and assessment services, armed and unarmed security guard service, and training on how to survive an active shooter.
The gravity of bomb threats, active shooter situations, and security breaches is best understood when you are placed in a real-life scenario. Trainings from AEGIS are hosted in a controlled, safe space that imitate real-world threats and orient participants to appropriately react and protect themselves and others should such a scenario become a reality.
AEGIS’ expansive list of Corporate Training Solutions is ideal for overall workplace safety and security, amplifying employee readiness in the event of an emergency. Topics ranging from pre-incident indicators of threats to active shooters can be trained in a rememberable format to resonate with participants, ensuring they walk away certain of their abilities to effectively respond to a variety of threat-related situations. Contacting AEGIS today can offer your employees and clients the assurance necessary to feel safe in the workplace.
Our Workplace Violence & Security Awareness training program is designed to provide information on how to identify, predict, mitigate and respond to workplace violence, crime and terrorism. Specific training on bomb threat protocol can be incorporated into your personal resiliency program to enhance your workplace’s ability to effectively and safely handle such a situation. The training program lasts between two and eight hours dependent on the needs of the company.
AEGIS Security & Investigations is a Los Angeles region company that is licensed and insured in the State of California to provide high-end armed and unarmed regular and temporary off-duty police officers, bodyguards, security officers, loss prevention agents, and event staff. Additionally, we offer services for private investigation, consultation, people tracing, and background investigation. Our trainings and workshops in the field of security licensure and counter-terrorism have been featured in news media and are renowned for their efficacy. For more information or to contact us, visit www.aegis.com.
By: Chelsea Turner & Jeff Zisner