Security issues a monthly topic for downtown business, property owners

July 29,2016

By Sandra Baker

Two weeks to the day after the deadly shooting of five officers in downtown Dallas, more than 90 Fort Worth security directors and building owners and managers met downtown to talk about active shooter situations.

It’s not the first time the Downtown Security Group has talked about the topic. And it won’t be the last.

Coincidentally, the meeting topic had been planned since May. During the meeting, two U.S. Homeland Security representatives gave a presentation. The group’s August meeting will be a follow-up by the Fort Worth Police Department Homeland Security/Intel Unit.

“It’s no fun to talk about it,” said Joel Stary, who along with Ron Andriotto, downtown’s neighborhood police officers, started the group in late 2013. “It’s something we have to discuss. We have to talk about the what ifs. I really do believe that talking about it frequently . . . that’s what saves lives.”

The group meets monthly and is for private security directors and officers of downtown buildings, building owners and managers, and others who have a hands in property security. It started out with 20 people, but has grown to about 200. The talk about downtown crime statistics for the month and other topics of interest.

Matt Beard with Downtown Fort Worth Inc., director of the Downtown Public Improvement District, said the July meeting didn’t touch too much on the Dallas shootings, rather it stressed the importance of communication if that ever happened in downtown Fort Worth.

“As far as the risk level, we’re low risk,” Beard said. “But it’s better to be prepared and know what’s going on around you.”

Downtown Fort Worth covers nearly 2 square miles. Just under 40,000 people work downtown.

In early July, a gunman opened fire on Dallas police during an evening protest against police brutality in black communities nationwide, killing five officers and injuring 11 other people. The gunman shot his way into El Centro College and is where police ended his life.

Public gathering locations such as downtown’s are attractive targets and having plans in place to respond to emergencies is important, the Homeland Security representatives told the group. They addressed having business continuity plans and training employees on security plans.

Stary said it is in the hands of the businesses and property owners to have policies and procedures in place, including how to respond to a serious, credible threat.

Fort Worth police don’t receive many such calls, but they do happen, he said. For example, when companies have layoffs they will call the police to let them know and are ready in the event of a disgruntled employee who may become violent.

“People need to learn not to take that for granted and report it,” Stary said. “We’ve got to foster communication.”

The presentation, Stary said, “was a good reminder that these situations start with catching something little; the little things prior to the event. Typically, they’ve told someone what they’re going to do. Social media is a big huge deal for us, including these shooters.”

Greg Grainger, president of the property management division of Younger Partners real estate brokerage, who delves into security issues, agrees that communication with employees and tenants, as well as the larger community and police, is vital.

“It’s key to minimizing loss,” Grainger said. “That’s where your plan comes in.”