Residence security

The public figure's status makes them an appealing target of the obsessed, criminal, crazy and the crusader. The United States Secret Service Exceptional Case Study Project (ECSP) studied all people known to have attacked, or approached to attack, a prominent person of public status in the United States between 1949 and 1996. 34% of the targeted individuals in the study where movie, sports, or media celebrities, business executives or other national figure.  

51% of the incidents in this study occurred at the home or office of the targeted individual. The residence is an attractive environment for a couple of reasons. It is generally a location the public figure can be located time and again. A second consideration is that frequently the public figure’s movements are known when they attend well-publicized or announced events, which affords the individual pursuing an inappropriate encounter the opportunity to lie in wait at the public figure’s residence awaiting their return.

Numerous incidents have been reported by the media over the years and a few are noted here.

    - Actress Teresa Saldana was stalked and attacked with a knife as she left her apartment; fortunately, a passing truck driver came to her  rescue.

    - Annie Hearin the wife of businessman Robert Hearin was abducted from her home. A ransom was paid, but Annie Hearin was never found.

    - Actress Sharon Gless’s home was entered by a female who had written several letters to Gless` before barricading herself in Gless’s home threatening to kill herself. Gless was not home at the time.

    - Sidney Reso, president of Exxon was abducted at the end of his driveway as he left his home. His body was found weeks later.

    - The Canadian Prime Minister and his wife were awakened by an intruder who was standing at their bedroom door with an open jackknife

    - Kevin Wynn, the daughter of Stephen Wynn (Mirage Casino) was abducted from her home in an exclusive gated country club community. Ms. Wynn was release after a 1.4 million ransom was paid.`

    - Businessman Marshall Wais, the founder and owner of Marwais Steel Co. was abducted from his residence. His ordeal lasted 8 hours before he was released

    - Talk Show host David Letterman’s home was entered several times by a female stalker

    - Actress and singer Madonna’s residence walls were climbed by a male stalker who previously threatened Madonna and the residential security detail before he was shot and arrested.

    - Former Beatle George Harrison and his wife were injured as they fought off an intruder with a knife who “had managed to slip through the sophisticated security net which surrounds their home.”

 The above are only a few of the numerous reports of public figure’s homes being entered, both while they were home and away.  

Planning and preparing security measures for the residence incorporates the same-layered system approach as would be used for other locations. The major difference is that the residence is where most will have the greatest control over their environment. 

Determining appropriate security for the residence is a three-step process. The first step in determining appropriate security for the residence is to review the risk assessment on the individual. The second step is to conduct a risk assessment of the area in which the residence is located. And the third step is to conduct a security survey of the residence to determine the accessibility and vulnerabilities so that necessary steps can be taken to reduce risk of harm to the individual or their family.

Security measures and procedures are of little value if not well-reasoned and used consistently.

For additional information:   Consulting@psgencino.com