Why worry about Terrorism when your Focus is Basic Security?

Kia Ora,

The above is a question I am often asked. So why do I look at terrorism when the focus is basic security?

Because if basic security is carried out correctly then the terrorist threat along with criminal activity is limited.

A security guard does not, as someone said of those at their place of work, stand there brain dead but ready to act.

As I pointed out to them their guards if doing their job properly should be looking well beyond their premises. If they have the right observation skills that every person in the NZ security industry should have, then the guards will see most issues coming.

The problem is one I have talked about often. Lack of real security training & guards being told to ignore all that happens off their site.

That same skill applies whether you are standing outside a licensed premise, static security on a site such as a bank or government department or dealing with terrorists.

The amount of times we reported suspicious activity, such as someone with a video camera at the gates, to the American soldiers on the gates. Yet time & again this suspicious actinity was not acted on to be followed within a day or two by a suicide bomber.

It is what most of the NZ security industry does not realize, yes we have to make money to survive, but the real reason you patrol comes under six headings known to the military as the aims of patrolling.

The way they can be employed is slightly different compared to how the military or PSD teams might apply them, but commercial security if they are to be effective need

to use them.

The following is the Aims of Patrolling modified slightly for civilian use.

1. To Gain & Retain the Initiative

2. To Gain Information

3. To Deny Criminal/Terrorist Elements Information

4. To Make Criminal Elements Uncomfortable

5. To Provide Protection
                                 
6. To Provide Security

These aims do not always necessitate you actually moving as you can use your senses to achieve the same goals.

These aims would not even need explaining to someone from Britain as they do it as second nature.

But NZ as someone said on the news tonight when talking about a relation who was murdered " it just doesn't happen in NZ". Sorry but it does & it is all happening with greater regularity.

It is only a short hop to regular, what most people would regard as, terrorist activity.

                                                                      http://www/foxhoundsecurity.co.nz