Essential Elements of Security Management for Cities
Having a safe city requires both improving personal security and increasing the perception of security within a city. It also requires that appropriate city entities be able to manage incidents effectively with their resources and through networking with other entities. As a result, the reputation of services apparent to residents and visitors improves alongside actual security improvements.
Safe cities require physical security, infrastructure, and outstanding communications networks.
A safe city initiative isn’t simply about placing a security cameras in “hot spots”. It also has to involve both stationary and mobile sensors, outstanding command and control structures which are well connected to all response force, good design, excellent infrastructure, and continual practice and improvement by service providers to avoid complacency. Following are some of the necessary elements for security management in cities.
Professional Planning Is Required
Effective security management in cities rests on excellent planning. Security consulting should include development of a comprehensive plan so that no elements are left out. A city’s security management plan should specify goals and objectives, lay out design and procurement requirements, specify threats, risk assessment, and scenarios and how command and management interact. Management and supervision of a safe city plan should be spelled out, as should provisions for assimilation of the plan and training of all stakeholders. A security management plan should give an overview of technical concepts and infrastructure involved, and should include provisions for development of measurement and evaluation tools.
Residential and Personal Security
Security in residential neighborhoods can be enhanced by following certain design principles, like avoiding placing footpaths at the backs of homes and ensuring front doors face the street. According to The Safe Cities Index 2015, a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, residential security can be increased without undue cost to city budgets. Speaking with residents about the kinds of crimes they face, such as vandalism, involves residents in crime prevention and helps law enforcement attune to actual problems people face. Social media has made people more vocal about their neighborhoods, and if cities don’t listen when there are residential security problems, economic consequences can result for cities.
A Network of Cooperation
An overarching network of cooperation among security entities can enhance a city’s security management. This may require a change of perspective that allows for sharing information, collaborative problem-solving, and developing a mutual understanding of security goals. Generally, multiple networks support the overall network, and may consist of formal or informal networks, such as police-to-police or city-to-city networks. City entities should also work with national and extra-judicial local counterparts to develop multilateral and multidimensional capabilities.
Communication is the glue that makes city security cohesive.
Such cooperation helps ensure better threat detection, co-production of intelligence, and a more adaptive response to incidents. Networking additionally allows cities to place their actions into a broader context of national or global security, which can be vital in the event of transnational crime, terrorism, or even a disease pandemic.
Technology and Infrastructure
Security consulting for safe cities must include thorough plans for information and communication technologies as well as the electrical and physical infrastructure necessary to support them. A clean, reliable, and continuous supply of power is necessary, and many cities are turning to alternative energy sources like solar to ensure continuity and ecological responsibility. Maintaining and upgrading physical infrastructure must be part of any security management plan, but cities must remain open to new innovations that allow security management to take advantage of new technologies.
Example: Nazareth City without Violence Project
Nazareth, a cultural, commercial, and public center for towns and settlements in its area, is home to many attractions that draw tourists from around the world. It is a major Christian pilgrimage center, and the protection of holy sites is essential to security. The City without Violence project developed the following objectives: prevention of irregular incidents; crime deterrence; better law enforcement capabilities; minimization of local violence; and improved sense of security among residents. Areas of interest with more potential for violent incidents were prioritized by the city, and fulfilling the goals of the project involved four elements:
ג€¢ A command and control complex connected to all end units and sensors throughout the city
ג€¢ Strategically located surveillance cameras and sensors
ג€¢ Response systems
ג€¢ Operational procedures for control center operation and response teams
Conclusion
Tandu Technologies & Security Systems Ltd., which was in charge of the City without Violence project in Nazareth as well as many other security consulting projects, has unique and extensive experience in security management. Not only did Tandu prepare the national tender for technology implementation in the City Without Violence program for the Israeli Ministry of Public Security, they also serve as consultants to the Ministry. Tandu has designed and managed projects in Israel and elsewhere, providing customized solutions to the unique characteristics of every location. To find out more about the security consulting services offered by Tandu Technologies & Security Systems Ltd., we encourage you to contact us online at any time.