We at Bravo1 Protection would like to formally recognize Officer Pitts on his outstanding work and dedication he puts forth at every site. He is one of our most requested officers and he goes above and beyond to ensure a secure and safe event! Thank you Mr. Pitts.​

Not everything involves training and operations. Behind the scenes look of packing a survival kit.
One day, one shift, one post at a time.

Mickey Summerall (left) Tripp Lunsford (middle) and Tammy Johnson (right) enjoying a quick break during Fall For Greenville 2016

​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... 

 ​With the onset of rushing and football festivities about to kickoff, it’s easy for a good time to go bad. Keep in mind these simple yet effective points when planning your next formal or party.

1. Search bags and persons upon entry. Don’t allow any liquids, weapons or drugs to come onto the event premise. Of course legal searches can only be conducted by law enforcement or SLED-licensed security officers.
2. Don’t allow ANY liquids on the property. Too many people will show up with vodka in a water bottle.
3. Have a third party check ID’s. Whether is the bartenders or security officers, make sure no students are checking ID’s.
4. Register all guests. If you have someone attending who isn’t part of your organization, register them with the name, phone number and mailing address, as well as an emergency contact. If something happens, you need to know who to call for all your attendees.
5. Don’t allow entry to anyone who has been pregaming. If you show up intoxicated or under the influence, you don’t get in.
6. Wristband guests upon immediate entry, but if they lose their band they don’t get another one. Most of the time if someone comes up an hour in asking for a new wristband because they lost theirs, it’s really because they gave it away.
7. Don’t let pledges run the party, EVER! Pledges can certainly clean up trash after, but they should never be put in a position to serve alcohol, check ID’s, or “bounce”. They will do anything to please their sisters or brothers, so don’t put them in a position where they may have to tell someone no (they won’t do it).
8. Have plenty of free water. Count on two bottles of water per person.
9. Provide transportation. Have a large bus for most of the transport, but also have a small car available so if someone needs to leave before the party is over, they can catch a ride.
10. Have an advisor on-site. Sober officers are great, but nothing will encourage a safe party better than sober adult advisors.
11. The chapter president is in charge of emergency situations. Relay any crisis or emergency to them before it becomes a substantial problem.
12. Make sure you have legitimate bartenders. If you aren’t having your party at a bar, hire a licensed bartending service like Liquid Catering.
    
13. Hire Bravo1!

Personal defense is definitely an issue these days but aside from carrying a weapon there are others areas that you can explore if you're a little hesitant about carrying a weapon on a daily basis. Being prepared can prevent you from becoming a victim of theft or worse yet a personal attack on you or a family member. We offer services that include SLED certified officers who are trained in defensive tactics that help keep our clients much safer.
So what can you do personally that will help improve your chances if you find yourself in a situation that calls for protection of you or your family?
Know some defensive tactics
Take a class that gives you some basic knowledge of what you can do or what to expect if you find yourself in a bad spot. Learning some basics will teach you the right mindset and possibly help save your life. Yes you should know some physical moves and yes you should practice those moves. I recently took a class with the family and we made a day of it. The family learned a great deal and we actually had fun doing something together that was very educational. Defensive tactics are not just performing physical moves it can include knowing what to do if you arrive at home and your house has been broken into. Do you go inside, do you wait outside the home, do you drive around the block and call the Police? Knowledge is power and knowing what to do in certain settings and situations can be life saving.?
Know the most effective areas to hit if you are attacked:
1. Eyes--if you are able to reach the attackers eyes then poke/gouge/scratch at them viciously. This will cause severe pain and and should create an opportunity for escape.
2.Nose-if you can hit your attackers nose with the meaty palm of your hand in an upward motion with enough force you stand a chance as possibly breaking their nose and giving you a chance to escape.
3.Neck-if you can hit the attackers neck with the side of your hand hard enough you can cause some pain and possibly give you an opening to call for help or escape.
4. Knee-kick the side of the knee. This will cause extreme pain since the knee isn't designed to move from side to side. After kicking the knee make for your getaway. Do not hang around. Get to a safe place and call the police.
5.Groin areas- kick with all the force you can muster. DO not hold anything back so that you are sure to inflict the most pain possible. then immediately escape your attacker.

Your knees, elbows, and head can be used to help defend yourself. Do not be afraid to use everyday objects, pen, rings, etc.. as weapons against your attackers. Take a class to learn more. Hopefully these tips will help you stay safe.

Bing Crosby, turkey dinners and hanging out with family. Decorating the house and the smell of Christmas are very fond memories for me. The holidays can be stressful enough without the added worry of theft. The holiday shopping and traveling creates many situations that if you're not always watching and practicing good safety habits you can become a target. So what are some tips to help with making sure your holidays are not similar to a crazy comedy people might watch on the big screen?
1. Leave your House Lights on--not your Christmas decorations but your outside lights on throughout the night. Nothing screams easy target more than a dark home with no outside lighting. Criminals do not want to be seen or recognized so by leaving your lights on you take a proactive approach toward would be thieves. Make sure all your outside lights are not only working properly but are lighting the areas that need well lit. A well lit home is one of the last places a criminal wants to visit when there are others homes without the lights on. Be proactive and make sure that your lights cast enough light for your yard and home to be well lit.
2. Avoid sharing your location through social media while shopping or travelling. This sounds unbelievable but your social media can actually tip off people to make your home a target by them knowing that you are gone. Taking pictures and posting them to your site can let others know you are travelling which makes your home and belongings vulnerable. If you must share those trips and all your pictures do so when you return that way people will not know you're out of town. Think of it this way--you would never go out of town and call the local television station to make a commercial about your upcoming trip, that would make no sense. Posting your location while away from home is a commercial to everyone that you're not home, so save those pics till you arrive back home.
3. Don't carry large amounts of cash while travelling or shopping. You may not notice that you're being followed at the mall because a pair of criminals spotted how you bought your family's gifts. You could be robbed in the parking lot simply because you used cash instead of safely using a card. Your card is the safest way to insure that if you are the victim of a robbery you will be insured of your losses and the criminals won't get far since the card can be reported as stolen. If you're traveling and carrying cash is a must only carry small amounts and make more visits to the bank for cash. Losing large amounts of cash at the holidays is no way to get into the Christmas spirit. Using a money belt if going out of the country is always a good idea to keep the cash closer to you and out of sight for would be thieves.
4. You've bought the perfect gift and now you wanna hide it till Christmas day and surprise your family member or loved one with a really nice piece of jewelry. Where would you think of hiding it? The sock drawer, in a closet, in the fridge? How about making sure you have the expensive gifts under lock and key! If it's jewelry then you already should invest in a lockbox. Most people with expensive items also go ahead and possibly take out extra insurance on those type gifts.
The point of all this is don't make it easy for someone to ruin your holidays and steal your precious items that you've worked hard for. Be proactive and take all these steps to make sure you are not the target of some stupid criminal. Enjoy your family time without worrying if you're gonna be the next home on the street to get robbed.