The Preparedness of Private Security in Shopping Malls

PROJECT SUMMARY FOR GRANT 2003-IJ-CX-1017 In partnership with the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), Vera Institute will conduct an assessment of the counter-terrorism preparedness security in large retail spaces, such as shopping malls. More specifically, the study will address the adequacy of private security in malls with respect to preparation, detection, and response to terrorist attacks and the sufficiency of their training, technology and other resources. Four major research activities will be conducted: (a) survey of state legislation regulating private security hiring and training standards; (b) interviews with state homeland security directors regarding their mall security and/or needfor more regulation; (c) a mail survey of 2,000 mall security chiefs regarding steps they have taken to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks and their views on future needs; and (4) case studies of several malls identified as engaging in "best practices". Findings will be distributed through ASIS to a wide audience of private security executives. ca/ncf