Travelers with designs to attend full of events such as parades, concerts and sporting events have a good reason to feel anxious. In recent months, deadly attacks have caused chaos in New Year’s Eve celebrations in New Orleans and a Christmas market in Magdosyn, and the threat of terrorism has canceled other major events around the world.
But the message from security and terror experts is simple: Don’t let the fear win.
“Terrorists want maximum publicity, maximum coverage. They want people to feel like they are ubiquitous. That it can happen to you at any time, wherever they instill fear in people and make them change their lives,” he said Colin P. Clarke, Director of Research at Soufan Group, an intelligence and security and security company. But even if all of this sounds very scary, “you have to live your life,” he said.
Police and other organizations use security layers – visible as well as behind the scenes – to protect the crowds. The New York Police Department, for example, is starting to prepare and gather intelligence long before a large public rally. He then develops a mixture of meager and uniform officials to provide protection during and immediately after the event, said Deputy Chief James Kehoe, commander of the Department of Anti -Terrorism. To enhance safety around the perimeter events, police sometimes place specific block or parcel trucks to prevent vehicles from entering busy pedestrian areas.
No security measures can provide absolute protection from all threats, of course, but experts say there are some things you can do to keep yourself, your family and your friends safer in crowd.
Get to know your surroundings
Before heading to a full area, use the mapping application of your phone to get the Earth’s Lay, marking traffic, possible exits, places you could get shelter and the position of police and emergency services.
Then put your phone away and pay attention or as Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner from the New York Police Office, put it: “Take your face out of your phone and look around.”
Stay especially alert to the people around you, he said. They can help you observe the immediate dangers faster.
Make and share an emergency plan
Before you get started, plan what to do if something goes wrong, said Steve Allen, the founder of the crowd, a British security consulting company that has advised major event organizers worldwide.
Choose a particular place away from the crowds as a rendezvous point where you and whoever you are with you may meet in case you are separated in an emergency.
“Determine a tall flag or a tall structure and say,” Look, if we lose or whatever, we will meet there, “said Allen.” That’s exactly what I’m on when I’m on vacation. “
Share your plans, including address and contact information about where you live, as well as what you do and when you expect to be home, with a family member or someone near, so that a person who is removed from the event knows where you are , he said.
Think about carrying a small bag containing necessities such as water, snacks, medicines, first aid kit and mobile phone charger, Mr Allen said, and although it may seem obvious, he repeats: check the weather before going.
Transfer vital health information to you
Do you have allergies? Do you need some medicines? Do you have a disability that needs special attention? Put this information on your phone emergency or medical identity so that it is accessible from the lock screen, transfer a card to your wallet, wear an ID Medicalert or do all three.
In case of emergency, carrying these personal information somewhere to you – and not in a bag or wallet, which you could fall or leave behind – could save your life if the emergency personnel should address you, said Mr Allen.
If you are traveling abroad, transfer a photocopy of your passport and find out some basic phrases in the local language, especially if you have health conditions that would require special attention from medical emergency.
Don’t ignore your instincts
“If you see something, say something”: It’s a slogan that most New Yorkers know from the heart, but applies to public security anywhere, especially in full events.
How do you know if an out -of -positioning object, threat to social media or behavior is suspicious? Trust your gut, experts say.
“People tend to bypass their instincts,” said Deputy Commissioner Weiner. You should not be afraid or feel hesitant, he added, talk to the police or other security personnel if you meet something that doesn’t sit down with you.
“These are all very intuitive principles on how to browse the world safely,” Ms. Weiner said, “but I’m always surprised at how few people really practice them.”
Make a security checklist
When you are excited to be at a Taylor Swift concert, a pride or Super Bowl gathering, security may not be as intuitive as, for example, remember your tickets. That is why it can help you make a Pretravel security checklist by incorporating many of these tips, train yourself until these precautions become second nature.
One bonus is that possession of a checklist can in itself facilitate some of the stress, these experts say and allow you to focus on what is most important once you get there: having a great time.
“We have to be out there, travel, do our thing,” Ms. Weiner said, “but just be careful.”
