Preparedness - Social Unrest Preparedness

Social Unrest

The information below has been part of Security Awareness, Extreme Violence/Active Shooter and Travel Safety training.

Develop a Survival Mindset

  • Some protests can turn violent and riots/civil unrest may occur at any time without warning, so you should exercise situational awareness and good judgement to avoid these events should they occur. Developing a survival mindset enables you to act quickly and effectively.
  • Remember to “Be mindful, not fearful.”
  • Raising your level of awareness will allow you to better make that first, critical decision.

Continually Assess Your Situation

  • Allows you to take appropriate action or plan accordingly.
  • Use all senses.
  • Trust your intuition – that “gut” feeling (think of “Knowing without knowing why”).
  • Be prepared to take appropriate action to preserve health and safety should you unexpectedly find yourself in the immediate area of any event with a potential for violence.
  • Stay informed.

Before traveling to, from or through any area with the potential for social unrest or an active protest

  • Monitor news sources for reports of volatile areas and avoid them.
  • Travel with companions if possible.
  • Be always aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions (i.e. unnecessary phone use).
  • Have a plan to depart the area by identifying avenues of escape should you encounter a protest, riot, police and/or military action.
  • Do not engage with participants of these actions.
  • Be cognizant of cellular signal strength and maintain a charged phone should you need to call 911 for assistance.

If you find yourself in a location with potential social unrest


When outside…

  • Don’t draw attention to yourself and keep your distance from the agitators.
  • Try to move to the edge of the crowd.
  • Continue to move with the crowd until you can escape into a doorway, an alley, a side street, or a safe building.
  • Head in the opposite direction of the crowd.
  • If police are attempting to arrest you, do not physically resist.
  • If you are not alone,
    • Keep your loved ones close.
    • If you're not alone, then the first thing you should do is grip the hands or lock elbows with all the people who are with you.
    • If you're with a child, hold them in your arms so they don't get trampled.
    • Sticking together with your loved ones should be your priority, and your second should be finding a way out.

 

When inside a building…

  • Know how to identify persons who are authorized to be in the building.
  • Know to whom to report suspicious persons and/or suspicious activity.
  • Know where to shelter-in-place when necessary.
  • Know routes for evacuation should one be necessary.

What to expect from law enforcement when they arrive?

  • Follow all instructions provided by responding law enforcement or military.
  • If police are attempting to arrest you, do not physically resist.
  • Do NOT: Point at the officers
  • Do NOT: make quick movements
  • Do NOT: run towards the officers
  • Do NOT: scream or yell
  • Do NOT: have anything in your hands

Recognize and report behaviors of concern observed in the workplace or during your travel to your manager and Global Security at gscc@prudential.com.