​If you're a venue owner then you know that all customers are not the same. The laid back and easy to get along with customer and the more demanding customer have expectations that are worlds apart. In the current business climate you know that keeping your customers happy while keeping your sanity can be a difficult balancing act. It's hard to believe but yes there are still venues that don't see the value in requiring their customers to have a security company for events at their venue. These venues are not only placing their business at great risk but their reputation in the community as well. We all know that word of mouth travels quickly especially in the social media world. 
Heres a few reasons why every venue should require event security. 
1. Peace of mind is very important as a business owner. You will be able to spend your time doing the business of the venue owner. A venue owner doesn't need to worry about the security of the event if they've hired professionals to secure the venue. No running around checking invites, checking identifications, bag searches, etc... That's all taken care of by a professional security company if you've hired one.  
2. Venue owners know that their building and sites are going to have numerous people visit and not all are going to be honest people. A professional security company can help guard your venue from theft. The venue that you've spent your money to create shouldn't be looted after an event or during an event. Guarding your site and the possessions on site are gonna make your guest feel at ease knowing their wedding gifts are secure. The vendors that setup equipment on site are gonna feel better knowing they need not worry about their expensive electronics disappearing. A professional security company deters theft.
3. Party crashers are known on TV as fun and humorous but in reality it's an expense that the customer has to cover and many times they can create issues that could've been avoided had there been a professional security company. There should be site protocols that give invited guests a warm and inviting entrance into your venue and the opposite for unwanted visitors. Trespassing is a serious issue and if someones ex relationship shows up to make a scene it could potentially backfire on the venue owner for not properly securing the event. Checking for invites and making sure the event participants are those who are welcome isn't something a venue owner needs to deal with if they've hired a professional security company.
4. Alcohol related issues are one of the main reasons that you should have a professional security company on site. Under age drinking is a very common issue that venues deal with. Using a professional security company can aleve your worries about minors being served or drinking off others drinks. Let the security be the "bad guy" who notifies the guest that alcohol is only for those 21 and up. Some people need help realizing they've drank too much. While others need to be shown the door after causing a scene. Hiring a professional security company will keep you safe from fines and possible insurance liabilities when it comes to serving alcohol at an event.

These are just a few reasons why every venue should have a professional security company and theres only one that has the Bravo1 Protection reputation. Call/email today and let's get a consultation scheduled. 

If you're headed out to a Halloween party this weekend make sure you aren't caught off guard. We've put together a few tips that might help you get more treats than tricks!

1. Always keep your ID and cash securely close to you. Check your pockets if its a purchased costume to make sure its gonna hold your important items securely. Having to replace cards and your ID can be headache. If you needed your wallet for the ride home and had lost it or worse it was stolen then it could resemble a Nightmare on Elm Street!

 
2. Always Always Always STAY with the group. Most people will be wearing masks and costumes that night so it's easier to commit a crime but groups discourage criminals. Stick with your friends no matter what. Parking lots and side streets can create an environment where criminals feel more confident in being hidden. Choose parking where there is good lighting. No one wants a Michael Myers moment...
 
3. Wear an appropriate costume for the weather--know the forecast, cold weather, rain, etc...be prepared to walk (high heels) in case the parking lot is a block or two away. Clothing that is longer or baggy can sometimes create safety issues such as tripping hazards. Make sure you can move freely in your costume especially if you needed to escape zombies. Seriously though make sure the costume wouldn't hinder you from walking or going up/down stairs. 
 
4. If it's a party where alcohol will be served go ahead and decide on a designated driver or calling a cab. A DUI isn't something you wanna deal with after dancing the night away. A DUI can cost thousands of dollars and possibly cost someone their life. Go ahead and determine how you plan to get home before you ever leave for the party. 
 
Following these few tips can help your evening from turning into a Thriller... 

Fall for Greenville is always an exciting and busy event for all of those lucky enough to call Greenville SC home. The streets are filled with vendors and tasty samples of gourmet creations that will entice even the strongest of wills to give in and try the delectable treats. Then there are the crowds, tens of thousands flock to the area to try the food and libations from the local breweries while enjoying the bands that fill the air with music of every type...sounds like a lot fun and entertainment right?
This event requires tons of preparation and thankfully the City of Greenville knows that and does a great job. At Bravo1 Protection we understand that crowds plus alcohol and a hectic environment can equal a recipe for  many hours of making sure the festival is safe and friendly for everyone who attends. This year we decided that we would help in a very different way--we would take care of the people who make sure Fall For Greenville never misses a beat and all the folks enjoy themselves. We provided a hospitality tent for the First Responders. We wanted to insure the Police officers, EMTs, and Fire fighters were furnished all their meals while they worked many long hours. We solicited local businesses for donations and provided meals Friday-Sunday. Our CEO Tammy Johnson was on site Friday when Fox Carolina stopped by to discuss why we offered to help. "It's simple really, we wanted to say we appreciate all our first responders for the long hours they work. These responders are not provided their meals when they work events like Fall for Greenville, so we wanted to make sure they had a comfy spot to stop, get a quick bite and still be close to the event. They deserve it!"

Dean Elliott our COO worked the grill Saturday and Sunday cooking burgers and brats. Saturday was a rainy day but the responders let us know all weekend long how much they appreciated the meals. 
We are very proud of all our First Responders and we hope that this small gesture on our part was seen as a BIG THANK YOU to the men and women who made Fall for Greenville safe and friendly. 
Also a special thank you to Sticky Fingers for donating Friday's meals. We served 250 meals over the weekend.

Over the next few weeks colleges all across the US will be accepting their incoming freshmen class, and for freshmen parents, safety is always a top concern. At Bravo1 Protection we have provided security services for a lot of college events, and have had to interfere with some pretty unfortunate situations. Here are some quick tips we recommend you review with your child BEFORE they go to school.

1. Always be aware of your surroundings. When walking on campus, make sure you are alert, OFF your phone and paying attention to what and who is around you. I cannot stress enough, walking to your dorm late at night is not the time to be texting your friend about an upcoming party. Stay on lite sidewalks and walk with a buddy whenever you can. Know where your campuses emergency call boxes are, and where security guards are usually stationed. If you ever feel that someone is following you, walk quickly to the nearest security guard and ask for an escort to your final destination. Consider carrying pepper spray as well, just make sure it's always accessible.
2. Lock your doors. Yes, you probably know everyone on your floor in the most intimate kind of way, but always look your dorm room door, and make sure your roommate does the same.
3. Don't go to parties by yourself. I CANNOT stress this one enough. Don't ever go to a party or stay at a party by yourself after your friends have left. Your friends need to have your back and encourage you to be safe. No matter how nice people at parties may seem, you just never know. If the party gets out of control, you see weapons or generally you feel unsafe, get your friends and leave.
4. Don't get inebriated. I know this one is hard, but it's the truth. When you are inebriated your senses are inhibited, and you will quickly find yourself in a situation that you can't control. Always make sure your friend group has a designated sober monitor who is watching everyone else and keeping an eye on things.
5. Get verbal consent. If you are voluntarily or involuntarily engaging in sexual activity, know that you should only take things further if your partner verbally says yes. Parents- please remind your guys that they need to ask for verbal permission, you can't assume that because a girl is taking off her shirt she is granting permission. Consent cannot legally be given if the person is intoxicated, under the influence or otherwise inhibited. Guys or girls, if you don't feel comfortable in a sexual situation, get up and leave before its too late, no matter what your partner says. Make sure any partner you get involved with is of legal age for consent (17 in SC).

Is your child considering rushing for a fraternity or sorority? Next week we'll talk about questions to ask about the safety of your school's Greek organizations and clubs.

Summer, summer, summertime.... can you hear it? I do! Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff 1991 hit summertime song blasting through my speakers. Kool Aid flowing, speakers pounding, carefree and young. When I think of the summer my mind automatically takes me to great backyard BBQ's, laying by the pool, and traveling to some new adventure with my family. As much fun as we all love to have, we need to remember that summer time also has one of the highest peeks in crime and  emergency room visits.

Here are THREE safety reminders to help keep your summertime a time where you can "Sit back and unwind"

1. Backyard BBQ's can be a ton of fun. Who doesn't love a grilled hamburger or hotdog fresh off the smoking grill? Potato salad, baked beans, yum, it makes me hungry just thinking about it. Remember while we sit around the grill and watch the blaze of white cloudy smoke and hot red flames that we need to be safe. Safety practices aren't only in place as we cook on the grill, the single most forgotten safety measure happens when we take that last item off. Regardless if it's a gas grill or good old fashioned charcoal, remembering to properly extinguish and shut down the grill will prevent that fun summertime backyard BBQ from being a fire truck stop. When using a gas grill remember to turn off the gas from the gas can. Turning the burner off isn't enough, it's important to turn off the gas line as well. Charcoal stays sweltering hot for a very long time, remember to smother the gray charcoal by closing the lid also adding cold water.

2. Poolside fun! The best times that I have as an adult in the summer is taking my children to the pool. I fill up my cooler, pack some snacks and we're off for a few hours. NOTE TO ALL... Yes, African American's sunburn! This may be the single most important thing that I may say to you, USE SUNSCREEN! I have in the last few weeks had more and more conversations about the importance of sunscreen. Have you ever had sunburn? Hum, if you have then you know how important it is to protect yourself! Using sunscreen isn't hard or complicated. Go to the nearest drug store and purchase a sunscreen with broad-spectrum or multi-spectrum protection for both UVB and UVA. Lastly, USE IT!

3. Vacations, traveling, and even staycations are at the top of everyone's list during the summer. Beaches, cruises, even foreign travel is at an all time high during the warm and sunny months. With social media as our new best friend, we all want to capture every single moment and show the world where we are and what we are doing. Unfortunately as great as social media is, it's also a breeding ground for crime. As much as grandma loves to see on Facebook how cute her sweet grandbabies look in Disney world with Mickey, criminals love that they know you aren't home and your hundreds of miles away. Be mindful of the things you post on social media and know that although we all love to see that your standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, so do the bad guys.

My last and final reminder for these nice and hot days, have loads of fun during your summer, summer, summertime and just sit back and unwind.

Anticipation is the name of the game in the private security business. Most companies are reactive rather than proactive. Our job is to prepare for the worst so you don’t have to. That goes for working at a bar, hosting an event, walking a fence or patrolling a manufacturing plant. While business owners realize that a crisis can hurt them from an emotional and possibly physical standpoint, many haven’t thought about the way it will impact them financially. That can mean lawsuits; simply because your festival, arena, manufacturing plant or restaurant didn’t have proper security. These lawsuits can be expensive! Case in point: A Texas jury awarded the parents of two college students $27 million in a lawsuit they filed against McDonald’s last year, arguing the restaurant's lack of security measures resulted in the deaths of their children. McDonald’s was found liable for failing to provide adequate security not for the restaurant itself, but rather for the parking lot.

Let that sink in for a second. You are in charge of your patrons and guests.  No Matter What!

This lawsuit should be wake-up call if you own or manage a facility. Whether you have had issues or not increasing your security can save you time and money. 

Potential controls for such public facilities could include:

·       Visible security officer presence

·       Monitored security cameras

·       Panic/duress alarms in at-risk locations

·       Roving security patrols

·       Defined security policy on when to call police

·       Annual security-risk assessments

·       Warning signs

And of course, call Bravo1 Protection because we specialize in providing hospitality-driven, exceptional security service.