Mass shootings have been on the rise since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is classified as an incident with at least 4 people injured or killed. According to non-profit organization Gun Violence Archives, 2020 saw 611 mass shootings, compared to 417 in 2019. As of mid-October, we’ve seen 570 this year. Consequently, there’s been a 50% rise in businesses pursuing active shooter insurance. These policies may offer coverage for property damage, cleanup, medical care costs, victim lawsuits, PR expenses, and legal fees.
Specialized active shooter policies can provide support after a crisis has already taken place, but there are a number of things businesses can do to protect themselves and help prevent an event from happening in the first place.
Prevention is always the number one goal and here are some proactive strategies to implement:
- Employ preventative security measures that include things like routine background checks, requesting identification for visitors, and requiring visible badges for employees. Issue special badges for temporary employees, contractors, cleaning crews, vendors, and visitors.
- Partner with local law enforcement to facilitate active shooter training and exercises, so employees know the safest ways to respond in an emergency
- Create an Emergency Action Plan for the company that includes evacuation protocols and escape routes.
- Post signage throughout the workplace that provides clear directions to nearest emergency exits, first-aid stations, and shelter locations.
- Become familiar with and be on the lookout for active shooter warning signs, such as increasingly erratic or aggressive behaviors, overreactions to changes in work policies, and expressing empathy for others who engage in violence.
Read more about critical prevention strategies and what to do in the event of an active shooter event here.
Gun violence is an extremely sensitive topic and imagining your business becoming a crime scene is ineffable. Businesses can’t prevent an active shooting event from occurring – but they can proactively implement prevention strategies, prepare in advance if the unthinkable were to happen, and mitigate risk by adding active shooter coverage to their insurance policy.
At Jencap, our number one priority is to work alongside our agency partners to protect every single employee, contractor and client that makes up every commercial operation. Extending our specialized coverage solutions is one of the many ways we do that. Contact us today to learn more. You can read more industry insights here.
