Personal Security
As I observe the tragic events of gun violence in California over the last few days, I am deeply saddened by the innocent lives lost celebrating the Lunar New Year and those who were casualties of workplace violence. The possibility that similar incidents can occur in any of our communities at any time is concerning. The critical question is whether we will be prepared when it happens again, and how we can minimize casualties and save lives. We don’t have the luxury of assuming this type of tragedy can’t happen in our town or city. As safe and secure as your neighborhood may be, a tragic incident like this can still happen. As security professionals or government officials, we must be proactive, plan and prepare for incidents like this, as our top priority is public safety and saving lives.
While there are some things we have no control over, we can take some proactive steps to prepare for incidents like the ones that occurred in California. One way to do this is by taking a self-defense or non-lethal defense class, which can be offered in your local community. These classes can help us to not only physically defend ourselves and our families, but also those around us. There are non-lethal and lethal methods of defense, but it's important to understand and consider the potential consequences of using each. Everyone should have some level of self-defense training from children to adults. It’s also important to have active shooter training, so you know what to do if you ever find yourself in a situation at school, work, or in a public setting.
The only way that we can start to see real change related to mass shootings is if our local and state governments create laws to keep weapons out of the hands of those who don’t need them. They can also fund and develop safe cities and schools equipped with the latest technology to keep communities safe.
As private citizens, it's important to take the initiative and to be proactive. You never know when you may find yourself in harm’s way, so prepare so you can be ready when the unexpected happens. Take self-defense and non-lethal classes, be mindful of your surroundings and be sure to have safety precautions at home, work and play to help ensure your safety and that of your family.
Check out these emergency response and preparedness trainings: