COPING WITH VIOLENCE - SECURITY MEASURES FOR CORPORATIONS

• NCJ Number: 58862
• Journal: Risk Management Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 11-12,14-18
• Author(s): D WALKER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Risk and Insurance Management Soc, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PREPLANNED SECURITY MEASURES ARE OUTLINED FOR USE IN COUNTERING THREATS OF VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY KIDNAPING, AGAINST INDIVIDUAL CORPORATION PERSONNEL.

Abstract

KIDNAPING, ALONG WITH OTHER VIOLENT ACTS, IS NOW A PROBLEM OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. A STUDY OF THE MOST VULNERABLE TIMES FOR POTENTIAL VICTIMS HAS SHOWN THEM TO BE, IN DESCENDING ORDER OF LIKELIHOOD, WHEN THE SUBJECT IS ON THE MOVE, AT HOME, AT WORK, OR TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY. LIKELY KIDNAP VICTIMS INCLUDE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, DIPLOMATS, CORPORATE EXECUTIVES AND OTHER WEALTHY PERSONS, SECURITY FORCE OFFICERS, FOREIGNERS FROM A COUNTRY IDENTIFIED WITH IMPERIALIST OR CAPITALIST MOTIVES, AND THE FAMILIES OF ANY OF THESE CATEGORIES. RISK FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED REGARDING CORPORATION EXECUTIVES ARE THE NAME OF THE CORPORATION (WELL-KNOWN OR ASSOCIATED WITH TARGETED ENEMIES), THE SIZE AND ASSETS OF THE CORPORATION, THE TYPE OF PRODUCT MANUFACTURED, GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BOTH PLANT AND PERSONNEL, AND INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EXECUTIVES. POSSIBLE TACTICAL AIMS OF A TERRORIST GROUP ENGAGING IN VIOLENCE ARE TO OBTAIN FUNDS, ACHIEVE THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS, OBTAIN PUBLICITY, CHAMPION THE WORKING CLASS, HUMILIATE THE ESTABLISHMENT, AND BRING ABOUT THE MILITARIZATION OF SOCIETY. ALL SECURITY AGAINST THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IS FUNDAMENTALLY CONCERNED WITH CONTROL OF ACCESS. RISK REDUCTION IS ACHIEVED BY AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF PHYSICAL AND PROCEDURAL MEASURES DESIGNED AFTER A CAREFUL ASSESSMENT OF THE THREAT. FIVE FACTORS ARE CRUCIAL IN DESIGNING PERSONAL SECURITY: INSTRUCTING THE SUBJECT IN THE PROPER AWARENESS OF THE THREAT, CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL ADOPTION OF A LOW PROFILE, THE MAINTENANCE OF AN ERRATIC AND UNPREDICTABLE ROUTINE, GOOD COMMUNICATIONS, AND A MULTILEVEL DEFENSE. RISK TRANSFERENCE THROUGH INSURANCE WITH REFERENCE TO KIDNAPING, THE PREPARATION OF POTENTIAL KIDNAP VICTIMS FOR THE KIDNAP EXPERIENCE, AND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE EVENT OF A KIDNAPING ARE DESCRIBED. (RCB)