by Amber Bradley | Editor-in-Chief | TalkLPnews | amber@talklpnews.com
I’ve had the privilege to observe and report on this industry for more than 15 years. I’ve learned, I’ve studied, I’ve interviewed (journalist not interrogator), I’ve been a student of the veterans…hell, I’ve even taken a basic Wicklander-Zulawski course.
But I’m not like you.
I don’t have the weight of keeping my organization’s employees and customer safe, the scammers at bay, and the Board off my back. I don’t have to always ‘know the dishonest angle’ and also be a technology whiz to boot. I’ve always felt like my purpose, and the purpose of TalkLPnews, is to help all those doing this type of work > enter the Retail Rundown, cutting-edge training/awareness strategies, and actual no BS events.
All of that to say, this “My Take” is about trying to bring forward helpful information at least in one of those arenas > today, safety.
Earlier this week, TalkLPnews covered an article about how retail and education settings are the most targeted for gun violence so if you didn’t know by now, our environments sit squarely in the sights of this risk.
As these violent incidents increase, here’s a few broad lessons I’ve learned and I hope at least one or two will resonate and help you:
- Know the Pathway to Violence: This is an academic model by Frederick Calhoun and Steve Weston that describes the mental pathway for when individuals are about to commit a violent act. Here’s a book written by the academic pair.
Why should you care? If you can intervene in this pathway, you’re more likely to prevent a violent incident in your stores or corporate headquarters.
- Understand the risks within your organization: Just because you’re not violent or the people in your circle aren’t violent, doesn’t mean there isn’t a risk you will be a victim of a violent act. The risk hinges on the people within your immediate environment – for instance your retail store – and what’s going on in each person’s life.
Why should you care? Because the odds of a lone shooter entering your stores is probably rare, but what about the angry ex-husband that Susie has a restraining order for? The best book I’ve read on this is by Dr. Marc McElhaney called, “The Risks Within: Preventing and Managing Workplace Violence.”
- There are warning signs – study examples of them. For every incident, it seems like there is always someone that “knew it would be that guy/girl.” An example of this is from the recent school shooting in Nashville, read the signs he exhibited here.
Why should you care? If you can teach your employees WHAT the signs are and HOW to report them – you’re taking a big proactive step.
- Study the intricacies of domestic issues. I came across this post by the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center that explains the difference between Extreme Risk Protection Order laws and Domestic Violence Protection Order laws – seems pertinent to this conversation. Here’s the info.
[original post]
Extreme Risk Protection Order laws (ERPOs) and Domestic Violence Protection Order laws (DVPOs) are valuable tools that can save lives. ERPO laws are based on DVPO laws, which have been in place in all 50 states & DC for decades and are a well-established tool for protecting people experiencing intimate partner violence.
However, there are significant differences in these orders that can have life-changing impacts for victims and survivors of domestic violence. It’s critical that survivors, family members, advocates, law enforcement, and other implementers understand the differences + determine the best course of action to reduce the risk of violence and save lives.
Learn more from our side-by-side comparison of these life-saving tools:
https://lnkd.in/eCqPwpdn
Why should you care? Knowing this information might help you make more informed decisions on precautions to take to safeguard your environments.
Yes, I’m not like you.
I don’t sit with these weights on my shoulders every day, but I do feel like I’m in the fox hole with you, working hard to try to make them easier to carry. I hope this conversation and these resources help OR maybe you have a different take? I’m interested. We’re all interested.