BY HAMLET VAZQUEZ, MCAM-HR
Managing through Civil Unrest How one manager handled protests and angry crowds near his community.
D
o you remember that class you took on how to deal with rioters and looters? No? Neither do I. The fact is, this
1. Communicate with your residents.
2. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
Before the protest takes place it’s
While we did not hire security for
year has been one of those years where
important for your residents to
May 31, we did for the next couple of
neither prior experience nor formal
know about it and to know what
rounds of protests. Why? Because
training have prepared managers on
management plans to do to get
the security guards would be able to
how best to handle all that has been
ahead of any potential issues. The
protect the property from thousands
taking place. While we can now all add
residents need to know that you are
of protesters? No, but because it
‘managing through a pandemic’ and
aware of the situation and that you
communicates to your residents that
‘managing through civil unrest’ to our
are in contact with local authorities
you are being proactive. Most residents
resume or LinkedIn profile, are we ever
as you prepare. Depending on
will understand that if the police can’t
really prepared to handle either one of
your proximity to where protesters
control the crowds, a couple of security
those?
plan to gather, you may want to
guards will not be able to do much
encourage residents to be home
either. Security guards do provide a
Back on Sunday, May 31, I drove to the
before the crowds start to gather;
psychological sense of security though
high rise that I manage only to be greeted
in our case, we closed the vehicle
– a feeling of safety – even if they can’t
by thousands of protesters blocking
entrance that was to be closest to
guarantee realized safety. Security
my way to the property. The high rise I
the crowds to minimize the risk of
guards can also be a deterrent for
manage is fortunate to be right across
trespassers. Make sure that residents
those looking at low-hanging fruit of
the street from the Long Beach City Hall
are aware of all the steps you are
an unsecure parking garage.
and downtown police station, so it was no
taking to help prepare.
surprise that thousands had chosen this
Depending on the proximity of your
area to gather and protest the death of
property and accessibility of windows,
George Floyd.
you may want to board up your windows. Again, a way to be proactive.
After pulling over and waiting for the
In our case, we made it through with
crowd to pass, I was able to enter the
just one ‘tagged’ sign, but the situation
property only to find residents who had
could’ve been a lot worse.
secured baseball bats to protect the property. What does a manager do with that? What did this manager do with that? Read on to find out. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when the next riot or civil unrest takes place, derived from my own personal experience.
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Vision Fall 2020 | cacm.org
