The US events market is to benefit from the exacting standards of UK crowd safety and security, following the establishment of UK specialist, Crowdguard, in the United States of America (USA).
An industry-renowned event safety and security specialist in the United Kingdom (UK), Crowdguard, has garnered an enviable reputation for providing an end-to-end service for event organisers, venues and those responsible for public realm environments.
Crowdguard enters US market
The company combines detailed threat, vulnerability and risk assessments (TVRA) with tailored solutions and quality assured installation practices.
Compliance requirements and industry practice for event security are much stricter in the UK than in the USA, and Crowdguard US aims to bring a safety-focused approach to the US events sector, protecting people and events with robust solutions and improved consistency.
ATG Surface Guard
Among the market-renowned solutions that Crowdguard US will offer is ATG Surface Guard
Among the market-renowned solutions that Crowdguard US will offer is ATG Surface Guard, a popular hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) system and the company’s flagship product. ATG Surface Guard has been tested to the IWA 14 standard and is proven to stop a 5500 lb vehicle, travelling at a speed of 30 mph and a 15870 lb vehicle, travelling at a speed of 20 mph.
Supplied in single units, the surface-mounted, modular system can be installed across a single roadway, within as little as 40 minutes, by Crowdguard’s experienced technicians.
Crowdguard US headed by event security experts
Crowdguard US will be headed by Herb Ubbens and James De Meo, both experts in outdoor event risk assessment and security. Both professionals are US based and understand the US safety and security landscape.
Herb Ubbens is Board Certified in Security Management (CPP) and Physical Security (PSP) and is a SAFETY Act DHS Assessor in BPATS (Best Practices for Anti-Terrorism Security), while James De Meo holds professional memberships with both ASIS International and the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security-NCS4.
Event protection and HVM solutions
Herb Ubbens said, “There are a lot of companies in the US offering event protection and hostile vehicle mitigation solutions, but the process of installing these solutions is much more heavily regulated in the UK. Being able to roll out that best practice in the USA will be a game changer.”
With Crowdguard’s record in the UK, we are able to offer end-to-end delivery for US customers"
Herb Ubbens adds, “By bringing the expertise and processes established by Crowdguard in the UK, to the US market, we can give event organisers and venue-owners confidence in their supply chain. With Crowdguard’s record in the UK, we are able to offer end-to-end delivery for US customers, with proven HVM products, installation expertise and service protocols.”
Approach of due diligence and quality management
Crowdguard will take the same approach to due diligence and quality management in the USA, as it does in the UK, focusing on deploying the right solution and installing it to ‘as tested’ standards.
The company’s service will centre on understanding risk and threat, advising customers on the most appropriate solution, in order to meet the needs of their event and its attendees, along with quality assured deployment.
Enhanced event safety and security measures
James De Meo said, “Today's ever evolving threat continuum presents numerous challenges for event organisers. Whether they are enjoying outdoor events, or attending stadiums and venues, people want to feel safe and they should come to expect 21st-century enhanced safety and security measures.”
James De Meo adds, “Crowdguard has the proven safety technology and expertise to revolutionise the entire special events ecosystem, and I am excited to be part of the new venture in the US, and the positive change it can achieve.”
SIA GovSummit 2022
Deborah will join Herb Ubbens and James De Meo, to attend the SIA GovSummit 2022
Deborah Ainscough, the UK Operations Director at Crowdguard, will also take a hands-on role in developing the US business and working with clients in the USA.
Deborah will join Herb Ubbens and James De Meo, to attend the SIA GovSummit 2022, which is taking place in Washington DC, from May 24-25, 2022, a conference that focuses emerging policy trends, the technology needs of the government and changes in the risk environment.
Safety and security fundamental to protecting people
Deborah Ainscough said, “Safety and security are fundamental to protecting the most important asset for any venue or event - customers. That’s why Crowdguard US will focus on the same principles as our successful UK company, understanding the risks, deploying a suitable solution and installing and maintaining those market-leading products to the highest standards.”
Deborah Ainscough adds, “With Herb and James at the helm of Crowdguard US, we have the right experience and in-depth understanding of risk, combined with our experience of UK installation standards, to achieve those goals and I am very excited about what we can deliver in the USA.”