Why YOU need a security consultant

October 27, 2009. A high school student is brutally raped and robbed on Richmond High School grounds during a homecoming dance in a dark alley. The rape continued for over two hours while bystanders watched, and some even participated. It was not until the police received a phone call from someone who overheard the perpetrators bragging about the incident that they located her unconscious under a bench. [1]
 Apparently, security guards responsible for the event were released a half-hour before the victim left the dance. There were four police officers present at the dance, but as police officers they were not under the direct control of the school district, and their presence was not sufficient to ensure security at the event. [2]
 The dance was a school sanctioned event, and the incident occurred on the school grounds while the student was waiting for their parent to arrive. Richmond High School therefore had a "duty of care" [3] to ensure the safety and security of everyone present. By failing to provide adequate security, the school has breached its duty of care responsibilities and is liable for the incident. Even worse, the school was aware of the lighting problem in the alley but did not direct security personnel to patrol it. [4]
 The individuals in charge, from the superintendant up to the board, have been making security related decisions. They are not security professionals. They lack the expertise to properly secure their students and fulfill their "duty of care". Instead, they hired a few guards and brought in local police.
 If they were versed in matters of security, they would know to conduct threat and vulnerability assessments on a regular basis, and before a major event (such as a dance). If they were experts then they would have identified the alley as a security vulnerability before the event.[4] If they were experts, they would have implemented a security awareness campaign before they hosted the dance. If they were responsible, they would have realized they were not experts, and hired a consultant. The whole matter could have been easily avoided.
 The responsibilities that Richmond High School neglected are the same responsibilities many businesses and industries have towards their customers and employees. Although the school district was strapped for cash, there were several proactive steps that they could have taken in order to fulfill their duties. By electing not to consult with an expert, a business can face similar operational threatening liabilities for failing to secure personnel, information, or trade secrets. Security Consultants are experts who can help with threat intelligence, emergency and continuity planning, policy development, security awareness programs, and controlling risk. Operating without one is like walking a tight rope without a net.

End Notes

[1] B. Kates, "Richmond High School gang rape: Cops arrest 2 in attack on Calif. teen girl; Bystanders did nothing", Daily News, October, 2009

[2] S. Hughes, "Police look for More Suspects in Gang Rape", CBS Evening News, October, 2009

[3] The Free Dictionary, "Duty of Care"

[4] KCBS Radio, "Security Lights at Richmond High", November, 2009