INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL
Defending Against Attack
How Paramount Studios defends against a vehicle attack
When Paramount Studios, the longest operating
and only remaining studio in Hollywood,
wanted a preventative solution that
would protect tourists and talent from car
attacks, they contacted Perimeter Security
Group, an integrator that has become one of the leading providers
of perimeter security systems in the country. The 100-year-old
facility features 30 stages throughout their 65-acre complex.
“Paramount Studios asked us to create an aesthetically pleasing
solution that would stop unauthorized vehicle entry at five places
but would still let production vehicles through when needed,” senior
physical security professional at Perimeter Security Group Troy
Blood said. “With all the news of terrorists using vehicles as weapons
against people, Paramount Studios recognized that they, too, could
be a high profile target.”
While not all vehicle attacks are linked to terrorism, groups such
as ISIS and al Qaeda have called on followers to use trucks as weapons.
In fact, an al Qaeda magazine published an article in 2010 titled
“The Ultimate Mowing Machine.” The article calls for using a
pickup as a “mowing machine, not to mow grass but mow down the
enemies of Allah.”
It said a four-wheel-drive pickup is needed—”the stronger the
better.” The article continues, “To achieve maximum carnage, you
need to pick up as much speed as you can while still retaining good
control of your vehicle in order to maximize your inertia and be able
to strike as many people as possible in your first run.”
To add an explanation point, John Cohen, ABC News contributor
and former counter-terrorism coordinator at the Department
of Homeland Security said, “They are urging the followers to go to
soft targets, places that are open to the public, typically crowded and
because of what they are—they are very difficult to secure.”
With all this in mind, Paramount Studios selected Perimeter Security
Group, which has provided turnkey installations of custom iron
fabrication, security fencing, perimeter protection devices, access
controls, video surveillance and automated entry systems for projects
ranging from private residences to the most secure military facilities
and correctional institutions in the world. As part of this work, the
integrator has implemented many systems using Delta Scientific’s vehicle
access equipment to keep visitors and staff free from harm of
terrorists and errant drivers.
“We reviewed Paramount Studios’ facilities and vulnerabilities
and recommended a combination of Delta’s TT212 beam barricade
and DSC800 high security bollards. Paramount wanted the job done
quickly and at night so we wouldn’t disturb tourists or shoots.
“The high-strength wire rope beam barricade will stop a large or
fast-moving vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds at 40 mph,” Blood said.
The beam is raised to allow passage of authorized vehicles
through and, then, lowered to protect cars or trucks from entering.
Clear opening ranges from 10.5 to 24 feet are available to allow passage
of almost every type of vehicle.
“Beam barricades are very popular because this type of system
covers a wider lane at a lower cost than out-of-the-ground barricades
or barriers,” Blood said. “A low maintenance system, beam barricades
are used worldwide at locations where wide roadways need to
be secured from attacking vehicles.”
Beam barricades are seen at many nations’ embassies throughout
the world. They are also selected for government facilities, restricted
or reserved parking areas, impound yards, freight terminals, shipping
and receiving docks, storage and warehouse entrances, arms depots
and other places where standard traffic controls or gates are not capable
of resisting such high crash forces or vandalism.
“Paramount Studios also selected Delta’s manually operated
crash-rated bollards for those areas in which vehicle passages are
infrequent,” Blood said. “The DSC800 will stop a 15,000 pound vehicle
at 30 mph. Paramount Studios specified a model with classy cast
aluminum decorative sleeves, which slip right over the crash tube. If
ever damaged, Paramount will simply slip off the old and slip on the
new sleeve.
“Versus hydraulic or pneumatic operation, manually-operated
bollards were especially cost effective for this application because
they were used in locations were they would seldom be lowered, as
a result, this expedited installation because there were no motors or
power to contend with and also eliminated the need to work with
any additional trades, such as electrical. All we needed to do was to
make the barriers plumb. As a result, we were able to install a location
within a week.”
A Warning on Perimeter Security Systems
According to Blood, no area is more critical to the vehicle barrier selection
process than testing. Without adequate testing, there is no assurance
that the barrier will resist the threat. Testing is normally by an
independent testing company or government agency, such as the State
Department and military. Full-scale crash tests, using heavily loaded
trucks, are conducted. Comprehensive reports of test results are issued
and are available from the testing agency or manufacturer.
This article originally appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of Security Today.