Mass shootings are becoming increasingly common in the United States, and taking steps to keep your business safe is important.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 190 mass shootings in the United States this year, exceeding the number of days in 2023.
Mass shootings are incidents with four or more people shot or killed.
While they don’t account for the majority of gun violence incidents in the US, they have a significant impact on victims and communities.
Calls for gun reform have been sparked by incidents like those in Nashville, Buffalo, and Uvalde. The archive recorded 647 mass shootings in 2022 and 690 in 2021.
Should you be scared?
The answer could be “Yes,” or “No!” and, of course, that depends on your perspective.
But as a real estate agency, you may be particularly vulnerable to these types of incidents due to the nature of your business.
Here are seven things you can do to keep your real estate agency safe:
1. Develop a Safety Plan
It is better to be safe than sorry; thus, creating a safety plan is essential to ensuring that your real estate agency is prepared during a mass shooting. This plan should include procedures for what to do in an emergency, such as calling 911 and evacuating the building. It should also outline steps to prevent incidents, such as background checks on potential clients.
That being said, here are three steps that your real estate agency could take to help prevent incidents of gun violence:
- Implement strict security measures: This may include requiring identification for all visitors, conducting bag checks, and utilizing security cameras throughout the building to monitor potential threats.
- Conduct background checks: Real estate agencies could conduct background checks on potential clients to identify any red flags indicating a history of violence or criminal activity.
- Training: It is important to train employees on how to identify and respond to potential threats. This may include active shooter training, de-escalation techniques, and regular safety drills.
2. Conduct Regular Safety Training
In addition to developing a safety plan, conducting regular safety training for your employees is crucial. This should involve practicing emergency procedures and discussing how to identify potentially dangerous situations. By training your employees, you can ensure that everyone is prepared in an emergency.
Here are some examples of how such training can help:
- Emergency response procedures: Safety training sessions should include reviewing emergency response procedures, such as what to do in case of an active shooter, where to evacuate, and how to contact law enforcement.
- Identifying potentially dangerous situations: Employees should be trained to identify potentially hazardous conditions or behavior, such as aggressive or threatening language or actions from clients or visitors. They should also be encouraged to report any concerns to management or HR.
- Crisis communication: Effective communication is crucial during an emergency. Employees should be trained to communicate with each other, law enforcement, and clients or visitors in a crisis.
- Active shooter drills: Regular active shooter drills can help employees feel more prepared and confident in responding to a potential mass shooting incident. These drills can simulate emergency scenarios and allow employees to practice their response procedures.
Regular safety training for employees can help create a culture of safety and preparedness in the workplace, which can help prevent and mitigate the impact of a potential mass shooting incident.
3. Use Security Measures
Investing in security measures such as cameras, alarm systems, and access control is an effective way to deter potential threats and quickly respond to emergencies in a real estate agency. Here are some examples of security tools that can be used:
- Security cameras: Installing cameras throughout the office can help monitor the premises and deter potential threats. Cameras, such as entrances, lobbies, and parking lots, can be placed strategically to provide maximum coverage. High-resolution cameras can help identify suspects and provide valuable evidence to law enforcement in an incident.
- Alarm systems: Alarm systems can be installed to alert employees and law enforcement of a potential threat. Panic buttons or other alert systems can be installed throughout the building, enabling quick notification of an emergency.
- Access control: Access control systems can limit who has access to certain areas of the building. This can help prevent unauthorized individuals from entering sensitive areas, such as offices, server rooms, and storage areas. Access control systems can include key cards, biometric scanners, or other authentication methods.
- Security personnel: Hiring security personnel, such as guards or off-duty police officers, can provide additional protection. These individuals can monitor the premises, respond to emergencies, and provide a physical presence to deter potential threats.
Investing in these security tools can help create a safer environment for employees and clients and provide a greater sense of security and peace of mind for all involved.
4. Know Your Clients
As a real estate agency, it’s important to take proactive measures to prevent incidents of gun violence from occurring. One practical approach is to conduct background checks on potential clients to identify any red flags that could indicate a history of violence or criminal activity. By doing so, you can avoid exposing yourself, your staff, and your clients to unnecessary risks.
Background checks can help you obtain critical information about a potential client’s criminal record, employment history, and other important details that can inform your decision-making process. Establishing clear policies and procedures for conducting background checks and ensuring that all staff members are adequately trained is important. This can include utilizing reputable background check providers, verifying the accuracy of the information obtained, and complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
In addition to conducting background checks, asking for identification can help you identify potentially dangerous individuals. By verifying the identity of each potential client, you can ensure that you are dealing with legitimate individuals and avoid exposing yourself to fraudulent activity. You can also use identification to verify a potential client’s age, citizenship status, and other important details that can inform your decision-making process.
Taking proactive measures such as conducting background checks and asking for identification can help real estate agencies identify potentially dangerous individuals before they become a threat. By implementing these measures, you can create a safer environment for yourself, your staff, and your clients and help prevent incidents of gun violence from occurring.
5. Stay Informed
Stay informed about current events and trends in mass shootings. This can help you identify potential threats and adjust your safety plan accordingly. Stay updated on any news related to mass shootings and gun violence.
Here are some suggestions for how to stay informed:
- Follow credible news sources: It’s important to follow credible news sources to keep up-to-date on any news related to mass shootings and gun violence. This includes mainstream news outlets, local news, and online news sources.
- Participate in training and education programs: Many organizations offer training and education programs related to gun violence prevention and response. These programs can provide valuable information and resources for developing effective safety plans and staying informed about current trends and threats.
- Connect with other organizations: Connecting with organizations focused on gun violence prevention, and response can be a valuable source of information and support. This can include local law enforcement agencies, community groups, and national organizations.
- Monitor social media: Social media can be a valuable source of information about current events and trends related to mass shootings and gun violence. You can stay informed about news and trends by following relevant hashtags and accounts.
Staying informed about current events and trends in mass shootings requires a commitment to ongoing learning and education. Real estate agencies can be better prepared to prevent and respond to potential threats and create a safer environment for all involved by staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends.
6. Stay Vigilant
Always be aware of your surroundings and stay vigilant. Encourage your employees to report suspicious activity and take action if they feel uncomfortable. By staying alert, you can prevent potential incidents from occurring.
Here are some suggestions for how to stay vigilant:
- Conduct regular safety audits: Regular safety audits can help you identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in your workplace. These audits should include reviewing physical security measures, emergency response plans, and training programs.
- Encourage employees to report suspicious activity: Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting suspicious activity is essential in preventing potential threats. Encourage your employees to report unusual behavior, such as individuals taking photos or videos of the building or people behaving erratically.
- Monitor the premises: Regular monitoring of the premises, including entrances and exits, can help you identify potential threats. Use security cameras or other surveillance tools to monitor the premises, and review the footage regularly.
- Train employees on situational awareness: Situational awareness identifies potential threats in your environment. Train your employees on being aware of their surroundings and identifying potential threats, such as individuals carrying weapons or behaving erratically.
Overall, staying vigilant requires ongoing monitoring, education, and training. Real estate agencies can be better prepared to prevent and respond to potential threats and create a safer environment for all involved by creating a culture of awareness and alertness.
7. Seek Help
If you or your employees are struggling with the aftermath of a mass shooting, seek help. This can involve seeking counseling or support from local resources. You can create a safer and more secure work environment by taking care of yourself and your employees. Here are some suggestions for how to seek help:
- Offer counseling services: Consider counseling services to employees affected by a mass shooting. This can include individual counseling, group counseling, and other resources to support mental health and well-being.
- Connect with local resources: Connect with local resources, such as mental health organizations and support groups, to provide employees with additional resources and support. These organizations can provide valuable information and referrals for other resources.
- Encourage open communication: Encourage open communication with employees about their experiences and feelings after a mass shooting. This can help create a supportive and understanding work environment and reduce the stigma of seeking help.
- Provide time off and flexibility: Provide employees with time off and flexibility to attend counseling sessions or take time for self-care. This can help reduce stress and promote recovery.
Seeking help and support after a mass shooting requires a commitment to promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace. By providing resources, encouraging open communication, and promoting a supportive work environment, real estate agencies can create a safer and more secure environment for all employees.