Once again Barbados’ Crop Over, our annual national sugar cane harvest festival, is in the air. Calypso music scores this twenty-four day special event. The rum spiked occasion is designed for locals and visitors to have fun together. On Kadooment day a diverse mix of individuals play mass in themed costume bands. Life is literally sweet. How many attendees know about or regard behind the scenes planning required to keep everyone safe?

Preceding Grand Kadooment’s climax on the Spring Garden party highway there are several spin off events and fetes. Successful event planners realize all activities, big and small, must incorporate security and safety as priority and make them paramount importance. Planning security for a special event requires a tailored approach that balances effective, non-excessive security measures against a realistic assessment of likely threats to the particular event.

A “one size fits all” approach to security and safety fails to consider aspects of the event that makes it unique. Event planners are better served by obtaining a customized security plan that encompasses a threat assessment. This special scrutiny identifies and quantifies potential risk. The goal is to separate likely threats from perceived or imagined ones.

For an inexperienced planner emotions can run high when considering possible threats such as robbery, physical abuse or harassment. Feelings that cloud rational thinking during planning stages. The veteran event planner can distinguish the conceivable from the irrational and develop a plan that adequately addresses legitimate concerns, without wasting resources and money on the unnecessary.

Appropriate security and safety measures offer three critical benefits.

1. They provide a restrictive effect that dissuades potential trouble makers.
2. Implement measures that intercept hooligans.
3. Action an emergency plan that prepares everyone to respond appropriately, should an incident occur.

Effective security reassures the public, without detracting from the event’s image. It also does not inconvenience attendees. To achieve this balance the event planner should select an experienced security practitioner, who has diverse experience and adequate personnel to implement the security plan professionally.   

This article compiled and written by Ricardo Swire

Ricardo Swire is the Principal of R-L-H SECURITY CONSULTANTS & BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES. He is a decorated highly trained former Barbados Defense Force (BDF) veteran, with more than a decade in corporate experience. Mr. Swire successfully implemented and managed physical security programs in Barbados and Jamaica.  More information about his work and professional achievements can be gleaned from LinkedIn.