Now that the election is over, Americans can move forward knowing who our future leaders and representatives will be. But how prepared are we as security leaders to support our community, customers and associates in this time of transition?

Emotions will remain heightened regardless of political leaning for several weeks, especially considering how divisive this election was, and there will continue to be underlying tension. Events may happen that could set off a ripple effect across the country; protests and unrest are likely, and people may behave in ways they wouldn’t under normal circumstances.

Security leaders across environments — spanning retail stores, corporate businesses, residential communities and cities — should prepare for threats that will require fast and informed action. I have led through major cultural moments, including the 2020 election, COVID-19 pandemic, and nationwide protests, and several strategies were essential for preserving employee and customer safety while respecting the rights of citizens. 

The landscape of security risks ahead

Three types of incidents in particular are most prevalent during times like this:

1. Organized protests near capitals and in downtown areas
2. Citizen altercations in parking lots or within stores
3. Targeted vandalism and looting, potentially after-hours

Creating a plan and protocols to address these incidents will help you ensure a coordinated response. These plans will also stay relevant through the official transfer of power in 2025 and any political demonstrations that may follow. 

Some of these situations are very organized. Leaders can get ahead of some risks by monitoring social media groups, for example, to identify when and where people are planning to meet up. This allows you to coordinate an appropriate response with local law enforcement if necessary and decide how you will communicate with front-line employees and leadership. 

But not all demonstrations are organized through publicly facing channels, and some situations will happen spontaneously. Citizens may engage in verbal squabbles triggered by political attire or bumper stickers, and those could quickly escalate to physical altercations in parking lots, stores or across city locations. 

Staying ahead of these threats requires a mix of creating an impression of control to deter potential unwanted activity, informing employees and personnel of the best ways to identify and respond to threats, and aligning with other community organizations and safety leaders to implement a unified response.

Security preparedness for post-election

Despite uncertainty over what (if any) incidents may occur, there are several ways security and safety leaders can prepare their teams: 

• Establish communication protocols. How do you communicate within the community you’re operating in? Create clear communication protocols that explain how information will flow to key parties, such as store or business leadership, employees, customers, neighboring businesses and law enforcement. 
• Assess physical defense measures. How can you protect your building from damage or control the flow of traffic and people? Revisit your strategy for protecting your property and surrounding area, including if you have the means to block off the parking lot or guard windows. Brief leaders and employees on procedures for setting up these defensive measures, including how to fortify the building after hours to protect against potential vandalism. If needed, consider investing in additional security personnel to add on-the-ground support. 
• Promote de-escalation tactics. When was the last time employees received de-escalation training? Host an organization-wide training that reminds employees of the potential risks they may face and how they can safely assess threats and de-escalate the situation. Reinforce your communication protocols during this training. Ensure that the safety of every employee and customer is the number one priority, reminding them to not get involved if physical violence occurs. 
• Implement safety technology. How can you gather real-time information in the event of rioting or looting to make decisions to protect your team and employees? Security incidents can often happen during hours when your team is not on site (or when you don’t want people to be on site). Cameras, alarms, motion detectors, and motion-triggered lights can all bring visibility to situations, add necessary deterrence if you make the decision to close a location, and gather evidence to help law enforcement pursue bad actors. Revisit your existing security investments to assess their capabilities, and consider whether you need new solutions to cover your gaps.   

As with all successful safety initiatives, you should collaborate with nearby businesses or retailers and local law enforcement to maximize your efficiency if an incident does occur.

Regarding law enforcement specifically, dialing 911 may not be the most effective response in the moment (at that point, it may be too late). Businesses should first address the above items and then align with nearby organizations on security priorities and current vulnerabilities. Then, they can engage law enforcement for a meeting with representatives from all parties to align on the best strategy for various situations. This streamlines the process to reduce strain on law enforcement and ensures everyone knows how to execute an efficient response that will best protect everyone involved. 

Building lasting resilience

Threats inspired by the election will persist well into 2025. It’s crucial for organizations of all kinds to assess their potential risks and revisit their security strategies and investments to ensure they can protect everyone involved.

Invite questions from employees to identify potential gaps in your strategy, and collaborate closely with nearby businesses and organizations. We are stronger when we work together, and every citizen deserves to feel safe in their community.