Awareness

4 Steps Security Can Take to Prevent Kidnapping

Think kidnapping is not a risk for your organization? Think again. Kidnapping and hostage expert Chris Falkenberg tells us why the threat is real, and what you can do to minimize the risk

By Joan Goodchild, Senior Editor

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Utilize GPS
Falkenberg recommends companies put in place technology to be able to receive GPS transmissions from cell phones or emergency GPS transmitters. While this technology may only go so far because the device will likely be taken from the victim, in some scenarios, it could still aid in rescue. And as technology advances, GPS will become even more useful.

"There is some technology coming out in which you can program a cell phone to send out a distress signal," said Falkner. "What we are using with some clients is a handheld GPS transmitter which you can essentially use as a portable panic button. It triangulates to where it transmits. That can be used for a security department to learn where a kidnapping has occurred."

Train employees on how to behave
As Falkenberg pointed out before, kidnappings are planned events. Kidnappers don't often consider what they will do if the victim takes some drastic action to thwart the abduction.

"It's really infrequent, in the history of kidnapping, if victim runs away, or if they make a u-turn, that kidnappers will actually pursue a victim and kidnap in a static environment."

When an event takes place, victims find themselves forced into vehicles with commands shouted at them like "Get in the car! We are going to kill you!" While this is terrifying, it is actually much easier to turn the situation to your advantage at that point than it is once you are incarcerated, said Falkenberg.

But this kind of reaction to threats is not second nature to people, said Falkenberg. It is something that has to be learned. He recommends talking with employees about what to do if threatened and rehearsing it. It is important, he said, for people to feel comfortable that if there is a kidnapping, they can react, have some muscle memory of how to react, and have some confidence that it is the correct step.

"It is a great challenge to train people to think effectively during emergencies," said Falkenberg. "But it is very important because you have a real chance in the beginning to terminate the situation. If you can, you are much better off than getting in the car, or the van, where the realm of outcomes becomes worse."

Falkenberg also recommends companies train employees about how to act as hostages in the event that they are abducted. Tips include touching everything in sight to leave lots of fingerprints and talking to the kidnappers so they see you as a human, not an object. Falkenberg recommends mentioning family, children, and other personal facts that may aid in getting them to see you as a person.