Just 2 Seconds (19 page)

With most types of events, effective advance arrangements seek to design in and ensure distance between the protectee and members of the public, but at the book-signing event, each person (attacker included) can get very close to the protectee. That's the whole idea of the event. So we are left with this: If members of the public are already
at
the protectee, then members of the protective team must be
at
those members of the public already, in the truest sense of the word: all ready.

Note: These postings are examples of what we'd suggest. Obviously, if you have greater resources and more Security Staff Agents available, deploy them.

A non-public arrival/departure area large enough for two vehicles to remain throughout the visit. (We want the option of keeping the vehicles there, even though sometimes we choose to move the vehicles after the arrival, so as to not telegraph the departure location). This area can be a loading dock, underground garage, back or side entry, etc. Throughout the detail, access to the cars will likely be needed often.

The route from and back to the vehicles can be through service hallways and elevators, loading areas, fire stairs, or other non-public areas.

The route to and from the public appearance or holding room can be through service corridors, fire stairs, etc. It might also traverse public areas on floors other than the one where the public appearance is taking place.

The holding room can be an office, dressing area, storage room, etc., where the party can gather prior to the public appearance. It is also a place to retreat to in the event of a safety concern that doesn't rise to the level of a complete or immediate evacuation from the location. It should be an entirely non-public area, and should have (at least) bottled water, a mirror, and where possible, a telephone.

The appearance site should accommodate members of the general public on the front, but not behind the table at any time during the event. The protectee's entry and exit should come from behind the table, and the route from the table back to the holding room and vehicles should be maintained as non-public throughout the event.

A solid barrier from wall to wall maintaining the space behind the table as non-public. A row of tables is a good solution.

Store employees preparing books (e.g., opening books to the signature page, etc.)

A wall or other obstruction, usually something temporary we add. This serves as a visual block to prevent those waiting in line from seeing the protectee and the setup until each attendee is just about to enter the protected area. Options we use for this purpose include large cardboard posters, a curtain hung on temporary posts, bookshelves temporarily relocated from other parts of the store, etc.

The protectee signing books. The table should have a full skirt down to the floor on the front. The protectee's chair should be on wheels. Available on or beneath the tabletop should be bottled water, pens, antiseptic hand-wash gel, and hand-wipes.

Hands-On Security Staff Agent: The role of this Security Staff Agent is to usher people from the line up to the table. He has a hands-on connection with each person as each is moved past him, and handed off to S2. He coordinates with S2 to determine when people are admitted to the secure area and how many are admitted at a time.