Business improvement districts help invigorate neighborhoods and stimulate economic development. These districts bring together businesses and other neighborhood residents such as schools and cultural institutions to create a positive environment that will attract more patrons. 
 

Today’s shopping malls include more entertainment venues, theaters, restaurants and events that attract shoppers and increase patronage. This approach is designed to make the property a shopping destination, and it is building vitality back into many malls that have seen vacancy rates increase and sales decrease. This change specifically appeals to the tastes of young adults.

When an emergency occurs, whether it is a cardiac or first-aid emergency, or a natural disaster or workplace violence incident, the emergency responder who makes the difference between life and death is one who is well trained. 
 

Gated communities and condominiums that employ security officer services understand that residential security goes above and beyond safety. Security personnel are the first impression of a residential property for homeowners and visitors. 
 

Standardization of healthcare protocols and procedures is an established practice that helps create a safer and more affordable patient culture. Today, the standardization trend is expanding as healthcare facilities nationwide are realizing the benefits of creating uniformity in non-clinical services including physical security services. 
 

By 2016, more than 655,000 individuals in the United States will have careers in the security services industry according to The Freedonia Group, a leading international business research company. These security professionals work around the clock to protect people and property in a variety of industries and settings. How can an organization help ensure that their security team is engaged and prepared to meet their needs? 
 

The Yemen-based al Qaeda affiliate, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), released its 12th edition of the English-language magazine Inspire. This issue is titled, “Shattered, A Story About Change,” with the cover story focusing on how America’s role as a superpower has essentially been “shattered” in the post-9/11 world. Most of the past editions have included an “Open Source Jihad” section that provides detailed tactical information and instructions for jihadists to use for training purposes.

Safety is a serious topic that is common among many industries, but perhaps even more so at manufacturing and industrial sites where workplace injuries are a leading cause of lost work time. Having safety protocols in place is one way to prevent accidents, but they are only as effective as the people who know and use them. 
 

Colleges and universities need to ensure their campuses are as safe as possible. But while the mission may be simple, developing the right approach is not. Institutions facing budget challenges are increasingly asking “how much risk is present and how much can we afford to pay to mitigate threats?” 

To enjoy a long-standing, trusted partnership with your security provider, it is important to initiate a transparent relationship right from the beginning. A well-planned RFP can help build this foundation. By soliciting the appropriate information and level of detail during the RFP process, you will create an apples-to-apples comparison of each provider, so there are no surprises once services begin.