Nightlife Security

 Nightlife Security

The reason why people go to nightclubs is to have fun, they expect to have a nice time while enjoying the ambiance and entertainment . Nobody wants to be entertained at an unsafe club. All guests at a nightclub expect their safety to be guaranteed at any club they find themselves. Large crowds and intoxicating beverages for the most part make for a memorable experience; however, at times they can be a volatile combination. Funny enough, you can’t have a club without a combination of both, and as such it is very important to have an expert security presence to prevent any breakdown of order within the club. This is done to protect both patrons and employees.

When customers are scared for their safety at a nightclub, it is easy to say that it is the end of the club as individuals would go somewhere else that can provide a more secure environment. Below are some security concerns every club owner must know and also put in place security measures to curtail them.

• Crowd Control: While every club owner expects to see a huge turn out on every club night, high volumes of customers equals more money for the club. While the large crowd is good for business, it also has its downside as most times it’s a recipe for disaster waiting to happen. One way to handle this situation is to know the maximum capacity for the club and keeping track of guests to ensure that the maximum capacity is not exceeded. This is not 100% fool proof, but to a large extent drastically helps in crowd control. You only admit the number of persons you know that the security team can easily handle. Also, ensure that the walking part to the main areas of the club is clear at all times, for easy movement in and out of the club and to the various sections of the club.
• Environment: The club location matters, same as the surrounding environment. We all know how most fights take place outside clubs. Good lighting outside is a great way to reduce the chances as most persons would be discouraged to carry out an attack in an environment that is properly lit. Also ensure that the parking area and sidewalks are also properly lit and security stationed around the area. Club patrons should feel comfortable within and outside the club premises. Clients safety should be non-negotiable.
• Proper setup: The club set up is also very important as it is also another way to assure guests of their safety. Having easily accessible and easy to locate exit is a must. Also setting up the stage and equipment should be done in such a way that there is no interference with the dance floor and does not also cause obstruction of movement. Guests are bound to be tipsy or full of adrenaline in the course of having fun and can easily trip and fall if there are objects obstructing there movement on the dance floor. You don’t want your club to be known as the “the club, people always trip” as this would be bad for business. Night club security is much more than bouncers and security cameras. There are some little things that customers might see as a threat to them having fun, security experts can help point these little items out.
• Staff Presence: Just like a proper set up, staff presence can also create a sense of security for party lovers at the club. Everyone needs a face they can trust. Staff should know how to provide a sense of security while assuring guests of their safety during their time at the club. The security personnel should be properly trained in such a way that they are able to diffuses situations before they escalate. They should not only be trained in bouncing and restraining rowdy guest. Guest should know that the security team on ground has the capacity to not let incidents get out of hand. You can successfully restrain or remove a guest that has been a nuisance at a party without creating havoc in a crowded area
• Keep tabs on Alcohol consumption: It’s no news that some individuals do not know how to to handle their liquor, they start becoming a nuisance after some shots/bottles. It is important to keep out an eye out for such individuals. Alcohol helps loosen customers up and is also a good bonding mechanism for lots of customers at parties, denying someone a drink might seem as extreme but in some cases it is the “necessary evil “ that has to be taken. Serving an individual who is already drunk might lead to a brawl , throwing up on other guests and sometimes a fall, not to mention open up your establishment to both criminal and civil repercussions . With the help of security experts you can pick out such individuals and manage the process in a more diplomatic manner.

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Hiring Night Club Security

Getting the right person for a job is not an easy task. The case is not different for night club security rather it’s even more challenging to get the right security company. The situation for night clubs is a bit dicey when compared to regular security hires. Night clubs have a certain type of environment, when you take a look at the level of alcohol consumption, the hidden drug exchange, the crowd-it is safe to say the atmosphere at night clubs is not same with regular business this makes it a bit difficult getting the right security firm. The security team needed for night clubs need to be firm as well as diplomatic at the same time. It is important to guarantee the safety of all-party guests. Getting security for night club involves giving the security team update on the roles they are expected to play. In addition the insurance requirements are much more difficult to meet when dealing with this type of environment. When shopping for a company be sure to check to see if they have the right coverage.

• Access Control: One of the roles of security at a club is to control and limit the number of person that can enter the club at any given time. Clubs have their capacity and it is important to ensure that the maximum capacity is not exceeded. Also it is the duty of the security team to ensure that underage guests are not allowed into the club as it is illegal to let underage guests into the club as they club can be fined.
• Mange Situations: Security teams at clubs also help to manage the violent outbursts in the club. There is lots of drinking, dancing loud music and even sometimes drugs at the club. The combination of all this can sometimes lead to ugly situations, it is the duty of the security team to maintain order and restore sanity to the club by either restraining the individual (s) causing the commotion or out rightly eject them from the premises, this sometimes might be dangerous as the drunk guest might want to put up a fight.
• Rule Enforcement: Without rules, the night club would not be a pleasant place to have fun as the mixture of alcohol and crowd would would result in fights. It is the job of the security team to ensure that are rules and regulations that is put in place to make the club fun and safe is observed at all times. It is there duty to ensure that each and every guest follows these rules. By enforcing these rules, they are restoring sanity to the club and assuring the safety of everyone present.
• Protection for staff and guest: it is the duty of security guards to provide security protection to both staff and guests at the night club. They access visible threats with the aim diffusing them. Most times their stern look is all that is needed to ward off some mischief makers from causing trouble at the club. Club security is vital to keeping the business running as security plays a leading role although not well recognised in the sustainability of every club as no one would attend a club where there security is not guaranteed.

Types of Night cub security

Regular bouncers: enforce decisions of superiors, muscle

Floor Man bouncer/ cooler:   communication skills doorman is one who can recognize a potentially problematic guest, without seeming like a harassment and interrupting everyone’s party. It’s important for him to be respected, and to stand out from the crowd through his uniform and conduct. He must continually monitor all the guests’ behaviour and body language and determine if someone should be asked to leave the club.

Front Man / door man: Front man’s job is to recognize quality guests, and to rule out and deny access to those less desirable. He also makes dress code judgments and performs face-control checks, for purposes of good housekeeping.

FRISKERS: Friskers are those security members who check guest for weapons. They are very important figures of the security team. Their role comes to play at the entrance of the club.

SURVEILLANCE MEMBER: A modern club security member is an individual who sits in a surveillance room, monitoring the entire club floor through use of cameras. They then notify the floor crew of any potentially suspicious activity via earpiece or telephone. Surveillance members are very important figures in club security.

CLUB CHIEF OF SECURITY

The club security crew is arranged and directed by the chief of security, with security firms or agencies most frequently being behind the scenes. The chief of security should be an individual with connections in the police department and other institutions, a certain degree of street credit, and someone whose reputation won’t be the cause of conflicts in the club. The chief must appoint people who will stay alongside him and follow his orders in difficult situations. 

By Douglas Ruhl

VP of Business Development

Strategic Security Corp