Public Safety Not Just a Policing Issue…
The recent spate of gun violence in Baltimore has its police department pulling out the enforcement stops, elected officials asking pointed questions and communities wondering how safe they really are. Make no mistake about it, public safety is not just a policing challenge. It is an assertive strategy that must be considered at every level, including the grass-roots level within Baltimore’s most at-risk communities. Is there inherent community and personal risk in giving police information, reporting in-progress crime and cooperating with prosecutors – absolutely! However, the greater risk is to remain silent, do nothing and pretend the criminal element will eventually disappear. If residents allow criminals to get a stranglehold on their neighborhoods and in their schools, citizens will eventually become prisoners in their own homes and fail to live, work and raise their families as they’d like. While law enforcement must do everything in its power to remove violent criminals, they cannot do it alone. Neighbors must courageously help their community by getting involved; here’s how: Understand what numbers to call or the various points of contact are for all levels of law enforcement (both anonymous tip lines and emergency numbers); Join or start a Neighborhood Watch in your area. Partner with community members to strengthen the community bond and improve the relationship between the community and local police officials; Host community meetings with police officers; get to know the officer who patrol your neighborhood; Contact your local police department to request informal lectures, free literature, and advice on how to detect and address criminal activity; Get to know your neighbors. By familiarizing yourself with the usual lifestyles and activities of your neighbors, it makes it much easier to detect suspicious activity and report a potential crime before it occurs; Establish on-going crime prevention techniques in your neighborhood. Learn about current safety policies and implement new rules where necessary; Educate yourself, family, friends, and neighbors on how to identify a suspicious person or unusual/criminal activity; If you suspect criminal activity, don’t hesitate to call the police immediately and give them a detailed description; Know what steps to take in the event of an emergency. Don’t wait for someone else to contact the local officials, take matters into your own hands and protect your community. Always remember – if you see something, say something! Working together, police and the communities they serve can reduce crime and improve the quality of life. A crisis management and communications company, the Fallston Group focuses on working with organizations to help them prepare for, navigate through and recover from issues of adversity and crisis. Fallston Group experts are often called upon to interview, lecture and write about public safety issues. For more information, contact the Fallston Group at 410-420-2001 or email info@fallstongroup.com. Image by causes.com
Active Shooter – What Would You Do?
According to the Department of Homeland Security, an “Active Shooter” is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation. A few tips if you find yourself in an Active Shooter situation; Evacuate (Run) – if there is an accessible escape path, attempt to quickly evacuate the premises. Be sure to: Have an escape route and plan in mind; Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow; Leave your belongings behind; Help others escape, if possible; Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be; Keep your hands visible Follow the instructions of law enforcement; Do not attempt to move wounded people; Call 9-1-1 when safe to do so. Hide – if evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should: Be out of the active shooter’s view; Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (e.g. an office with a closed and locked door); Not trap you or restrict your options for movement; To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place: Blockade the door with heavy furniture Lock the door Silence your cell phone and/or pager; Turn off any source of noise (e.g. radios, televisions); Hide behind large items (e.g. cabinets, desks); Remain quiet; Fight – If evacuation and hiding are not possible: Remain calm; Dial 9-1-1, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location; If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen; Take action against the active shooter; As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to: disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by: Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her; Throwing items and improvising weapons; Yelling; Commit to your actions to save your life. For more information about how to protect your people, assets and brand, contact the Fallston Group at 410.420.2001 or email at Info@FallstonGroup.com. Image by guidetocebu.com
Workplace Violence A “Must” Issue for Leaders
A safe work environment is paramount to everyone in the workplace and should be the first order of leadership. The 2010 workplace shooting at the Emcore Corporation in New Mexico (and many like it) highlights the pervasive dangers faced by all business owners and their employees each day. This tragic situation left ten people shot and three dead, including the gunman who is suspected of targeting a domestic partner. Workplace violence is defined as physical violence, threats of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behaviors which occur in the workplace. Attacks in the workplace often seem unpredictable, sudden, devastating, life-altering and public for many stakeholders – physically, emotionally and financially. Unfortunately, many leaders do not pay attention to the prevention side of workplace violence until it is too late. In an effort to provide some top-line advice regarding prevention, the Fallston Group offers the following: Install a controlled access security system complete with designated entry points; Monitor access security cameras and badge identification systems which are controlled by a trained receptionist or security personnel – includes monitoring of hallways, stairwells, ingress and egress to executive suites, etc.; Implement one-way exit strategies which allow employees to vacate buildings quickly from multiple areas during an emergency – points of exit which cannot be penetrated from the exterior of the building; Limit access to certain areas of property based on job description and authorization; Offer workplace violence awareness training for supervisors and managers (educate the workforce about the early warning signs of workplace violence and encourage employees to engage – “If you see something, say something” policy); Require detailed documentation of behavior/performance and implement reporting policies – be certain assessments, policies and training strategies are reviewed and implemented on a routine basis; Provide employee access to counseling services and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs – pay close attention to the culture of the business as problems often creep into the workplace from the personal lives of employees. If practical, offer family life programs to relieve some of the work-life balance pressures some employees may feel; Involve law enforcement in the documentation process if behavior is deemed threatening; Request law enforcement visits with stop, walk and talk details (free of charge); Form a threat assessment/crisis team who regularly plan for and evaluate issues – be certain an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in place. For more information about the early warning signs of workplace violence and what employers can do to make their workplace safer, please contact the Fallston Group at 410-420-2001 or info@fallstongroup.com. Image by JobsPapa
Frisch Appointed Client Services Manager for Fallston Group
Today, Rob Weinhold, Fallston Group Founder & Principal, announced that Kristi Frisch has joined the Fallston Group as Client Services Manager. In this role, Mrs. Frisch will develop and manage client relationships while enhancing the firm’s local and national business development efforts. Mrs. Frisch has extensive experience in marketing and communications with a background in client-facing services. Mrs. Frisch’s most recent position was Communications Manager for Maryland Golf and Country Club in Bel Air, MD. Previous experience includes providing administrative support for a local law firm, among other professional experiences. Mrs. Frisch obtained a BFA from Towson University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2011. Weinhold said, “Kristi brings a set of terrific interpersonal and organizational skills to the Fallston Group. It is wonderful to work with a true professional who really understands the importance of relationship building and delivering high quality, world-class service. Kristi’s enthusiasm to ensure customer satisfaction, coupled with her communications background, will be essential to our clients as we continue to help leaders prepare for, navigate through and recover from issues of sensitivity, adversity and crisis.” “I’m thrilled to be part of such a unique, strategic company like Fallston Group,” says Frisch. “Outstanding customer service has always been my number one priority. I’m looking forward to participating in the growth of the Fallston Group and helping organizations build, strengthen, and defend their reputations.” About Fallston Group LLC (www.FallstonGroup.com) is Maryland’s most progressive crisis management and communications firm that works with organizations to help them build, strengthen and defend their reputation. The Group’s world-class experts work with private and public sector leaders to help them prepare for, navigate through and recover from adversity and crisis. Many chief executives refer to the Fallston Group as their “Chief Reputation Officer.” Core services include: Crisis & Issue Management Strategic Communications & Media Safety & Security Resiliency Training
Prevent Identity Theft…Shred Your Document Trail
Did you know that someone in America has their identity stolen every 3 seconds? With more people having access to digital information than ever before, it is imperative that you do everything you can to protect your identity. “Dumpster diving,” or rifling through trash cans and recycling bins for personal information is still one of the most common tactics used by identity thieves. So, when you throw something away with personal information on it, it is not safe unless it is shredded to an unreadable state. According to Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General, it is important to safely shred sensitive documents to help prevent identity thieves from obtaining personal information. Documents that need to be destroyed include any documents that contain your personal information – utility bills, benefits explanations from your health insurer, bank & credit card statements and anything that contains your name, address, Social Security number, bank account or credit card numbers, passwords or PIN’s, or any other information that could be used to steal your identity or access your funds. In additional to old hard drives, identity thieves can also find personal information on computer disks and CD’s that they find in the trash. In fact, any digital device that stores data is an area of vulnerability if not destroyed properly. For more tips on preventing identity theft, log onto Maryland’s Attorney General’s website at www.oag.state.md.us/idtheft or e-mail the ID Theft Unit at idtheft@oag.state.md.us. Image by PopularResistance
Textile Organization Tells Story
Background – Established in 1932, the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMARTasn.org) is a recycling-based, international nonprofit trade association comprised of used clothing, wiping material and fiber industry companies. SMART companies are committed to the “Green” way of life. SMART’s challenge was to raise the public profile of the organization and let the world know that textile recycling is not only possible, but preferred. In fact, textile recycling is the world’s oldest form of recycling and is often referred to as the “original” recycling industry. The EPA estimates the average person throws away 10 lbs. of clothing annually. In an effort to reduce the world’s carbon footprint, SMART members, in concert with the charitable industry, divert approximately 2.5 billion lbs. of waste that would otherwise fill America’s landfills each year. Strategy & Results – Upon engagement, the Fallston Group immediately researched and assessed the industry environment. Following its process of researching, assessing, planning, executing, monitoring, measuring and training, our team developed a traditional & digital media strategy, comprehensive press kit, educational videos, radio PSA’s and other strategic communications elements which drove proactive and reactive results. Simultaneously, the Fallston Group team trained both primary and secondary spokespeople to respond to the news media and stakeholder bases with timeliness, precision and effectiveness. As a result of the Fallston Group’s proactive messaging and media placement efforts, more than 500 media placements, creating more than 400,302,691 unique print and digital impressions valued at more than $1.3 million dollars were generated. Local, state, regional, national and international audiences are now aware of SMART and the mission it stands for. Image by picsstopin
Video: Assisting CBS with Cruise Liner Mystery
Fallston Group gained national coverage when it provided CBS Baltimore with perspective on recent and sudden death aboard a Carnival cruise liner in March. The story was picked up by the network and received national coverage. Video from the CBS Baltimore story is below: Image by SodaHead
Listen: Fallston Group Featured on WBAL Radio
WBAL joined our recent SWAT training exercises
Executive Accused of Sexual Assualt
Background – An organization contacted the Fallston Group after a key executive was accused of sexually assaulting and harassing an employee of the opposite sex. The concern revolved around the proper management of the situation from a human resources, leadership and communications standpoint as this very sensitive issue had both operating and legal ramifications. Strategy & Results – Immediately, the Fallston Group met with leadership and key employees to fully understand the facts as they occurred and were reported. Once the facts were discovered, the policies and guidelines of the company were evaluated so leadership could evaluate its options with the offending employee while providing proper relief for the person assaulted. Key legal and leadership opinions were considered then the Fallston Group made a series of human resource recommendations which ensured the company abided by the law and reduced exposure for the entity and employees impacted. Because this was a prominent executive, the Fallston Group worked with leadership to arm them with the proper message points while communicating with staff and other relevant stakeholders. Additionally, a plan was created in the event the incident was leaked to the news media. The Fallston Group continued to work with leadership to provide proper executive perspective and counsel on the handling of the many operational, training and communications-oriented issues that arose as a result. The company has now changed its approach in dealing with issues of sensitivity which has had a positive impact on its culture and team performance. Image by Hardwick
Reputation Attack Via Social Media Channel
Background – An international nonprofit organization contacted the Fallston Group due to the professional and personal reputations of its key executives and Board members being tarnished anonymously by people via social media outlets. The attacks accused organizational leaders of financial mismanagement, gross misconduct and malicious behavior. As a result, key stakeholders, including investigative/oversight bodies, were questioning the validity of the accusations due to the lack of response by nonprofit leadership. By their own admission, leadership didn’t know how to address the attacks, strategically or technically. Strategy & Results – Members of the Fallston Group quickly engaged. After a series of discovery meetings with executive and Board members, the accusations were investigated by the Fallston Group using interview, document review and digital search techniques. The accusations were quickly deemed unfounded. As a result, core message points were developed by the Fallston Group and key written and verbal messages were quickly and efficiently delivered by nonprofit executives through various distribution points and channels. The well-crafted message points provided the necessary transparency, balance and perspective stakeholders needed to again gain a strong sense of confidence in current leadership. Stakeholder sentiment quickly turned positive while both mainstream and social media channels were monitored by the Fallston Group. The malicious attacks stopped immediately as the organization told its story with a sense of confidence. As a result, oversight bodies turned their attention elsewhere and the nonprofit regained focus after this major, unwarranted distraction was eliminated. The international organization has now reshaped its communications strategy, enabling it to proactively trumpet its positive news while managing sensitive issues in a forthright fashion. Image by TripleCurve
