What does 'if you see something, say something' mean?

This means if you notice suspicious activity or get a bad feeling about a situation in public, you should immediately call appropriate authorities. Trust your instincts and report concerns to help prevent potential incidents.

How can I improve my situational awareness?

Minimize cell phone use in public, reduce music volume, keep your head up, and regularly scan your surroundings. Professional security officers are trained in situational awareness techniques that anyone can learn.

What is Silent 9-1-1 and how do I use it?

Silent 9-1-1 allows you to communicate with emergency services when you cannot speak. Press 1 for Police, 2 for Fire, 3 for Ambulance, 4 for Yes, and 5 for No on your phone keypad when connected to 9-1-1.

Why is walking with confidence important for personal safety?

Walking with your head up and purposeful body language makes you a less attractive target for criminals. Predators seek vulnerable-appearing victims, so confident posture serves as a powerful deterrent.

10 Ways to Stay Vigilant in an Uncertain World

September 22, 2016

Safety, Security Best Practices for Businesses, Terrorism

Safety Guide

10 Ways to Stay Vigilant in an Uncertain World

Essential safety practices to protect yourself and your community in today’s environment

We live in a world of uncertainty. It is critical that we all stay vigilant. Recent events remind us that threats can emerge unexpectedly, from individuals with no prior history of violence. These incidents serve as a stark reminder to all United States citizens to remain alert and proactive about their safety.

Whether you’re a business owner considering professional security services or an individual looking to enhance your personal safety, these practical strategies will help you stay prepared and protected in any environment.

10 Essential Ways to Stay Vigilant

If You See Something, Say Something

This is first for a reason. Plain and simple: If you get that bad feeling in your gut about a suspicious situation, then call for appropriate assistance. Trust your instincts – they’re often right. Whether you’re at work, in public, or at an event with event security, speaking up could prevent a serious incident.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Avoid distractions when out in public places. Minimize cell phone use, reduce your music volume, and look around while traveling in busy areas. Don’t keep your head down. Be sure to look around often. Professional unarmed security officers are trained in situational awareness – learn from their example.

Be Knowledgeable of Threats

For example, if you see suspicious packages or backpacks that are unattended in busy areas, call the police immediately. Understanding common threat indicators is essential. Businesses with armed security guards benefit from officers trained to identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate.

Walk with a Purpose

Predators and criminals seek to victimize the weak. Do not portray yourself as weak. Walk with your head up and with a purpose. Look like you are prepared and focused. If everybody does this, then criminals will have a hard time finding easy targets. Confident body language is one of your best deterrents.

Self-Defense

Know your right to defend yourself. If you have a license to carry and conceal a firearm, then do so. Carry some sort of weapon to defend yourself. Even if all you have are your car keys, learn how to use them to defend yourself if needed. For businesses, professional security personnel provide trained protection when self-defense isn’t practical or legal.

Communicate with Those Around You

Do you think something looks suspicious, but are too nervous or afraid to call the police? Get a second and third opinion. Get others involved. More eyes and ears dedicated to public safety is always preferred. This collaborative approach is why many businesses invest in security patrol services for comprehensive coverage.

Leave Space When Driving

If you are stopped at a red light or stop sign behind another vehicle, then leave enough space so that you can drive around that car if needed. Do not get boxed in. Always have an escape route. This principle applies to all aspects of security – always maintain options and exit strategies.

Sit Facing Towards Entrances

Keep an eye on entrances to buildings and businesses. Always give yourself the advantage of seeing danger before it sees you. This is a basic security principle that professional officers use. Consider how construction site security monitors entry and exit points to prevent theft and unauthorized access.

Know Your Limits

The human reaction to danger follows this pattern: Freeze, Fight, Flight. You will always freeze, some longer than others, before a decision is made to fight or flight. Be quick to decide. Every second counts in an emergency situation. Understanding your natural reactions helps you prepare for real threats.

Know How to Use Silent 9-1-1

If you are in a situation in which you cannot make noise due to imminent danger, then use the following silent 9-1-1 system by pressing the following buttons on your phone accordingly:

Silent 9-1-1 Button Sequence:

1 – Police
2 – Fire
3 – Ambulance
4 – “Yes”
5 – “No”

For businesses and properties in Rhode Island, these principles are the foundation of effective security planning. Whether you need unarmed security officers for customer-facing environments or armed security personnel for high-risk locations, staying vigilant is a partnership between professional security and community awareness.

Final Thoughts

Staying vigilant is a team effort. By remaining vigilant, we increase our public safety and domestic security. We are all in this together. From all of us in the private security industry, we are with you. Let’s keep America as safe as possible.

At SecurityRI, we understand that protecting your business, property, or event requires more than just physical presence – it requires expertise, training, and constant vigilance. Our professional security officers embody these principles every day, providing Rhode Island businesses with the protection they need to operate with confidence.

Ready to Enhance Your Security?

Whether you need armed guards, unarmed officers, mobile patrols, or event security, SecurityRI provides professional protection tailored to your specific needs. Let us help you stay vigilant and protected.

Get Your Free Security Assessment

Terrorism is Increasing the Need for Private Security

September 15, 2016

Armed versus Unarmed Security, Professionalism and Private Security, Rhode Island Security Matters, Safety, Security Best Practices for Businesses, Terrorism

It’s the hard truth, but we must accept it. Terrorism is a real risk that we all live with here in the United States of America. With the recent 15 year anniversary of 9/11, the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, we must always remember to stay vigilant. We must work together to take down these monsters. We must work together to preserve public safety. (more…)

Denver Leading Public Security Efforts with Private Security Patrols

September 1, 2016

Armed versus Unarmed Security, Professionalism and Private Security, Safety, Security Best Practices for Businesses, Security Guard Services

Denver is the capital of Colorado that serves as the home to over 650,000 people. Like any other major city, the downtown areas contain popular tourist attractions and shopping centers. These areas suffer from crime and other reckless actions, which lowers public safety. Denver is leading the charge to increase overall public safety by implementing public security patrols by private security officers. (more…)

Rhode Island Identity Theft Protection Act – Do You Comply?

August 19, 2016

Cyber Security Services, Data Security, IT Security Services, Network Security Services, Rhode Island Security Matters, Security Best Practices for Businesses

What are Identity Fraud and Identity Theft?

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Financial Crimes Report, the crime of criminal identity fraud is the involvement of the “…misuse of another individual’s personal identifying information for fraudulent purposes”.

The severity of criminal identity fraud ranges. The Rhode Island Identity Theft Protection Act is focused on serious acts of identity theft. Such acts include obtaining another individual’s personal information with the intent to compromise his or her assets. All are illegal, whether it is locally, stately, or federally.

A 2006 survey conducted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stated that 255,565 Americans were victims of some type of identity fraud or theft in 2005. This figure accounts for 37% of all criminal fraud crimes reported – a staggering number of victims for the year 2005. Here we are 10+ years later, and the situation has not improved.

The Rhode Island Identity Theft Protection Act

The State of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations recently amended the Rhode Island Identity Theft Protection Act. The changes became effective on June 26, 2016. Data security measures and breach notification laws have now changed. View the document here.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Rhode Island Attorney General and major credit reporting agencies must be notified of any breaches affecting 500+ residents
Businesses must destroy secure information of clients. Secure information can only be kept for the duration of the services provided.
Protecting personal information of Rhode Island residents is a requirement that requires maintained policies and procedures.
“Personal information” now includes all of the following: social security number; driver’s license number or state/tribal identification number; bank account numbers; credit or debit card numbers; medical or health insurance information; email addresses provided with passwords that allow access to personal information
Data must now be encrypted in, “a form in which there is a low probability of assigning meaning without use of a confidential process or key.”

Federal Law

Title 18: Part I – Chapter 47, Section 1028b of the United States Sentencing Commission’s Identity Theft Report, states that the sentencing guidelines for one count of the crime of identity fraud are a fine which depends on the severity of the crime and/or imprisonment for a maximum of one, three, or five years depending on the particular circumstances of the offense.

The punishments were made more severe in 1998 with the implementation of the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. This legislation made the crime of identity theft punishable by a maximum $250,000 fine and/or a maximum of 15 years in federal prison, per count.

Final Thoughts

The expansion of the Rhode Island Identity Theft Protection Act is important for all Rhode Island businesses. Are you compliant with the new regulations? If not, then your business could face some serious penalties. Consult a reputable and local IT security company to go over your policies and practices. A simple audit could help save your business thousands of dollars of penalties.