On The Lookout

In security, awareness of a problem is often half the battle. With this in mind, Terrible’s Casino Resorts presented a workshop on identifying and responding to the threat of predators and pedophiles on Monday at ASIS 2007.

Michael Burke, vice president of security for Terrible’s, explained how startlingly common crimes involving predators and pedophiles can be: Nearly 800,000 children are abducted annually (according to the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrownaway Children), and between 40 and 50 percent of all children will be exploited or violated by the time they are 17 years old.

This common problem, Burke stressed, can be helped with awareness and preparedness. Businesses can reduce the occurrence of these types of crimes by recognizing certain characteristics and behaviors of both sex offenders and abducted children.

“Use your powers of observation and maintain a suspicious outlook,” Burke said. “Eye contact and presence also are very important and provide a visible deterrent, which lets the suspect know you are aware.”

The presentation also stressed the importance of standing ground. By letting the suspicious individual know that they are being observed, an employee may help diffuse a potentially threatening situation.

About the Author

Megan Weadock is a communications specialist at Monitronics.

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