[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:48:09 PM
Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry Feed


Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Crime Risk Assessment: How exposed are you? - Dec 18, 2014 - 2:34:20 AM

The high crime rate has all of us concerned about our safety and well being, it seems hopeless! You, your family, and staff are not immune to these troubling times. However, we must not allow the current trend of events cause panic and insecurity, thus we must develop strategy and tactics that increase our chances of survival. We must be wise, deliberate and refuse to be victims and have a victim mind set. The methods discussed here are real and do not attempt to be politically correct. The key aim is to educate you in what’s happening in our society and present effective and efficient ways to survive the encounter. The current crime trend can cause many to believe that there is little they can do...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Communicating During a Crisis: What to Say - When to Say it – Who Should Say It - Nov 27, 2014 - 8:52:35 PM

Very often overlooked and underestimated is the relaying of vital information during crisis events. It is an integral part of managing ‘Reputational Risk’ both internally and externally. 

I recall being a part of a response team sent to an impacted location; and from the moment our plane touched down we were bombarded with questions about our ability to recover and deliver the impacted service. Our response was we came to assess. The reply from the customers was focused as they indicated we could have called ahead speak with our staff on the ground and would have been told that customers needed access to the service...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
We must learn from past tragedy, by preparing for it! - Nov 20, 2014 - 8:46:25 PM

What is the purpose of your business, should it die with you or should it continue regardless of the disasters or tragic events that may present themselves? What have you determined to be a disaster for your business? If you are not prepared then the answer to these questions become difficult and in some instances illusive.

Even more so for your staff, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders who are depending on your brand to function. Business continuity and operational resilience (BCOR) in the 21st century is not optional it is a must. It is a demonstration of your commitment to service excellence and the high regard you have for your stakeholders...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
What is your Company's Pandemic Policy? Maybe you already have one… - Oct 10, 2014 - 1:02:04 PM

"Given our heavy reliance on tourism and the daily initiatives to increase visitor arrivals, we become prone to the undetected entry of contagious sickness..."


When I was first introduced to business continuity in the early 2000’s the buzz word was the H1N1 / H5N1/ avian influenza, better known as the bird flu. Many major global players like Toyota and Sony were beginning to develop and test response plans to this contagious and limited control type of situation. There were very little emphasis and few contingencies available for business here in the Bahamas, as we were still caught up like most of the western world on the residual impact of 9/11 and thus for us, terrorism was our ‘buzz word’, the biggest priority. 
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Evacuations: How Are We Going to Get Out? - Jul 19, 2014 - 10:53:01 PM

"They coming by boat, they coming by plane, they coming in wheel chair, and walking with cane" is a line taken from a popular Bahamian song that has nothing to do with evacuations, but never the less speaks volumes to what can be expected during an evacuation event. It really asks the question, have you prepared for the variables and challenges that can present themselves during an emergency event.

When crisis events such as fire, bomb threats or even severe weather conditions present themselves timely safe and coordinated evacuations usually form a part of your response options. Be it as simple as evacuating from a building or as complex as evacuating from a country, this escape option cannot be left to chance. Compounding this situation is that during emergency events most rational thinking person become very irrational as a result of the panic and chaos that usually accompany these scenarios. We have seen during some of our training drills how staff in particular...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
National Crime Reporting Network (NCRN) - Apr 22, 2014 - 3:02:59 PM

The current state of affairs as it relates to crime and social disobedience in the Bahamas is far from normal. We are seeing and hearing of behavior that leaves a lot to be desired about the future and well-being of the nation. This statement is mine and is supported by the fact that the murder rate has sky rocketed, not to mention the assault statics, which have nearly tripled in the last 10 years. If you agree with my observations then you should agree that we cannot bury our heads in the ground and hope that it all gets better. I venture to say that you will say that we are in an emergency situation.


We have all watched for the last few years as our society is faced with increasing incidents of unrelenting violence on one hand and the apparent refusal of the political and religious leadership of our country, to take proactive steps to curve this problem...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Proactive security in a hostile and violent Bahamas - Dec 13, 2013 - 2:12:38 AM

Executive Protection: Having – Wanting – Needing?

On November 22, 2013 the United States marked the 50th anniversary of the assignation of John F. Kennedy. 50 years later there still remain unanswered questions regarding the circumstances surrounding this event. Without a doubt this was one of the darkest moments in America’s history and certainly the Secret Service will have this cloud hang over them perhaps for as long as time exists. This Department of the United States Treasury has the sole responsibility for the protection of ‘POTUS’ or rather President of the United States. So when Kennedy was killed they failed, plain and simple. But like most things in life smaller and perhaps insignificant failures and alternative agendas and priorities usually leads to disasters failures of such magnitude.

Enter December 9, 2013, and we have the home invasion and robbery of the Philip Davis the ‘Acting’ Prime Minister on Monday past. Perhaps this comparison may be seen as overreaching, but our chief executive officer was held up and robbed at gunpoint....
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Crime: What is Working, What is Not, and Why? - Dec 5, 2013 - 5:25:11 PM

The negative impact of crime is not unique to the Bahamas, and when one visits other countries you realize this very quickly. Crime is said to be a phenomenon that transcends race, financial status, political alliance, and religion. What is important is that the world is getting very much smaller and crime events are now more than ever crossing borders. This wild card as I would like to call it makes preparation and response to such events very complex. This is because the perpetrators of theft and loss may not be living in the Bahamas or can quickly escape to other jurisdictions, making the readiness and response to local and international crime matters more multifaceted and costly.

If you think that international crime does not impact you, then you perhaps are one of those persons who does not use the internet or own a credit card. The simple act of logging in immediately makes your presence international and subsequently exposes you to the numerous global threats that exist. Some important questions need to be asked regarding what we are doing...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Reducing the Impact of Business Disruption on Operations – Improving Upon Organization Resilience (Part 2) - May 1, 2013 - 12:14:34 PM
In the Bahamas we watched during the of April 1, 2013 members of the BEC Union prevented access and egress from the corporations Blue Hill Road Office, these event types and those such as the domestic terrorist events of the Boston Marathon are all examples of disruption happenings that required human intervention at various stages for the protection, prevention, preparation, response and, recovery from these incidents.

With this in mind we can now direct our attention to what in my opinion is the most critical element in this equation. This is the human factor, I think David Brooks' May 27, 2010 Op-Ed piece in the New York Times titled "Drilling for Certainty" is point on when he sums up risk perception as follows;
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Reducing the Impact of Business Disruption on Operations – Improving Upon Organization Resilience (Part 1) - Apr 23, 2013 - 8:45:29 PM

From time to time organizations experience various events that disrupt business and their ability to give service, subsequently impeding revenue streams. The challenge is, knowing when these events will occur and which event is going to occur. Certainly if these variables were known then risk management would not be such a daunting task. These incident types can range from power outages to industrial action to prank bomb scares to air system contamination.

Whatever the event and whenever it occurs, best practice suggest that the business in the first instance, take steps to protect the assets, secondly prevent the occurrence, third prepare for the inevitable, then be in a position to respond to the incident
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Assessing your business security program - Mar 20, 2013 - 8:51:43 PM

It is interesting as I visit various business in the Bahamas how so many of them take security measures for granted, and do not fully utilize the natural preventative mechanisms already in place. Thus in many instances initiatives are overlooked, repeated and just plain silly. What's even worse is when they are asked about what they have done, there seems to be no method to their strategy. Certainly the intention is good; however the approach is disjointed and wasteful financially.  I have decided not to mention some of these failures as I do not want to put lives and other assets at unnecessary risk.

Certainly business owners and leaders need help, and in to many instances it comes from security service providers who are only concerned about making the...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Emergency Management: The Need for Better Public and Private Sector Partnership - Nov 2, 2012 - 11:52:35 AM

We will begin this discussion back in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina considering we are still reeling from the impact of Sandy here in the Bahamas.

If the “American government would have responded like Wal-Mart has responded, we wouldn’t be in this crisis.” Louisiana’s Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard, paraphrasing Sheriff Harry Lee during an interview on “Meet the Press,” in October 2005

The  Washington Post in its September 6, 2005 edition states: “Over the next few days [beginning two days after the hurricane hit], Wal-Mart’s response to Katrina..."
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
The Importance of a Good Security Team - Oct 4, 2012 - 1:59:01 AM

A few years ago I had the pleasure of working for a major developer / investor here in the Bahamas, who specialized in gated communities and is a major player in 3 of the high end communities in the Bahamas and the crème de la crème in Orlando. In my meetings with him as head of security he shared the fact that security was the major selling point for these residential properties. If the home owner does not feel safe, they will not buy and if they do; they will sell immediately if crime and loss are not managed properly. Many other professionals and world leaders share the same perspective, in fact if a company decides to close its doors, the last persons to leave are the security force. This illustrates the importance of security to the success of any business...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Crime vs. Loss; Knowing the Difference - Sep 26, 2012 - 11:08:10 PM

In a modern society, there is no other issue I believe that is more significant than that of protecting our assets. Daily most of us are all focused on acquiring wealth for a better lifestyle and maintaining our freedom, thus it is only natural that the next logical step would be to protect what we have obtained. But what have we obtained? It is exactly the people and things which are valuable to us, that in one way or another, dictate what and who we are. The debate now is not whether we have misplaced our values, but rather to what extent are we prepared to go to keep what is precious to us. That ‘extent’ is asset protection, that ‘extent’ is loss prevention, which we collectively call security or whatever we choose to call it. Simply put, it is keeping what you have safe and secure...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Security: Getting Inside is the Easy Part - Sep 20, 2012 - 2:11:21 PM

The biggest challenge with access control is that successful business’s want people to come inside and purchase merchandise or benefit from a particular service. Whether it is 1st Street and Main, or at a World Wide Web address, an open invitation is given to all to 'come on in'.

In addition these businesses need full time staff, contracted, service providers and vendors to operate. Filtering out those who pose a threat to commerce as opposed to those who are genuine presents a clear and present danger to its success.  When this is looked at comprehensively many organizations have just as much entry points as perhaps our archipelago of islands...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Birds of a Feather: 58th American Society for Industrial Security Conference - Sep 13, 2012 - 1:33:08 PM

Reducing Crime in The Bahamas

At the time of writing this, I am at the 58th American Society for Industrial Security Conference here in the “City of Brotherly Love” Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has been a busy first two days with class starting from Sunday and we are still at it. It is always good when liked minded professionals come together to share in fellowship, it almost feels like church.

Forums like these remind you that there are many shared, concerns, opportunities and threats. A collaborative approach benefits all stake holders and more importantly reminds us that we are all in this together. In his book’ Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty’ Harvey Mackey stress the importance of building good relationships before you need to draw on them... 
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
The Need for Regular Review of Loss Prevention Programs - Sep 3, 2012 - 11:51:09 PM

How often do you go to the doctor for a checkup? For most of us it not as often as it should be and perhaps for even more of us it is when something is wrong and we need to fix it. Certainly we would all agree that this is not the best approach, but none the less we do it still the same. As we get older or body either become more prone to catching some type of virus or we build up an immunity and strong resistance. But really does invulnerability exist, or have we simply addressed a particular threat, remaining open to the countless others.

We inevitably become victims to the next attack, as no attack regardless of similarity is the same.  Time, availability of resources, and yes the current condition of your health and wellness program will impact how...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Who is at Fault for Armed Robbery? - Jun 1, 2011 - 9:11:37 AM

Recently the city of Nassau was shocked to hear of a bold daytime robbery of a major department store on Bay Street. The location was not so much an issue as there have been numerous criminal incidents on Bay Street. What shocked the town was that this event occurred at about 10am on a Sunday morning.  In a recent letter to the editor of the Tribune the writer implies that the police have come under unfair criticism for the apparent lack of presence on Bay Street that may have contributed to the success of this robbery.

Patrols whether on foot or via motor vehicles, by way of police or security personnel are intended to deter potential law breakers and observe potential safety hazards. This along with post duties are probably some of the oldest functions of law enforcement and security services. The implementing of the patrol function should not be haphazard...
Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Crime Reduction Strategies: Rules of Engagement - May 25, 2011 - 3:38:32 PM

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

 

No folks, not some fantasy of mine, and yes, sometimes this is easier said than done but these are the types of tactics we need to develop. Whereas I am quite aware of the need to fight in necessary, but certainly it would be easier to engage our young men and women before we see them doing the ‘Bank Lane Shuffle’, before we hear the cries of 'not my good child'. With this in mind, I challenge everyone to reach out via a youth group or in your neighborhood to our young men and women, and let them know there is hope... 

Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry
Know who your friends are, as your enemies will reveal themselves - May 4, 2011 - 2:15:07 PM

I am of the opinion that the death of Osama bin Laden at this point in history has very little affect on the current global terrorism community. In fact his killing has the potential to be of more harm than good. Certainly from a political standpoint it gives the current President a good boost, never the less terrorism is here to stay. Terrorism despite its fanfare and apparent ‘awing’ of the public is and will always be a criminal act. An as all criminals do, the terrorist seeks to use fear to accomplish their goals and draw attention to their particular cause. The events over the weekend regarding the capture of the ‘Most Wanted Man’ in US history can provide many great lesson for us here in the Bahamas regarding the crime situation and creating a safe community if only the perception of the same... 
<< prev page    next page >>

Latest Headlines
News
GBPA Announces Six Senses GB Hotel, Villas & More
Junkanoo Summer Festival Is Back, Bigger and Better
ZNS Celebrates 86th Anniversary with Church Service
Doctoral degree posthumously conferred to Hon. A.D. Hanna by University of The Bahamas
Select Jif Peanut Butter Products Recall - Update
Community
EARTHCARE Eco Kids join Dolphin Project for Global Beach Cleanup
Commercial Driver's Certification Services
Sorority Donates to Abuse Victims in Nassau, Grand Bahama
Breef kicks off donations of “Bahamas Underwater” books to over 300 schools in The Bahamas
University of The Bahamas Preparing for Largest Commencement Class Since Pandemic
Bahamian Politics
DNA PR: It's time to change the system
DNA on Extension of Emergency Orders
DNA on shanty town demolition court order
DNA on new lockdowns on Family Islands
PLP Candidate for North Andros and The Berry Islands on Lockdowns in The Berry Islands and Andros
Bahamas Weather
Inclement and a very wet weather ahead for the week for The Bahamas
Severe Thunderstorm warning - November 5th
Severe Weather Warning- Oct. 22
6am News Item on Tropical Storm Nicholas
Alert #21 on Tropical Depression Fred
Sports
Middle Tennessee wins the Prime Minister's Cup at 2021 Bahamas Bowl
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture announces sports is back
Director of Sports Welcomes return of Gold-Medal-Winning Bodybuilding Team
Basketball Camp fosters more than talent with CWCO backing
Minister Lewis, Sports Director show up for Young Runners
Columns
Reflections on Independence
22nd Annual Christmas Bird Count in Honour of the Late Erika Gates
Proposed zero vat removal from breadbasket items
Michael Brooks: A look at Bahamian culture
Equality Bahamas Welcomes Women in Parliament to Advocate for Human Rights
Events Calendars
New Providence Events Calendar
Grand Bahama Events Calendar
Family Islands Events Calendar
Aliv Hope Gala Ball under the patronage of Bahamas PM & Mrs. Minnis is this Saturday
Paint Fair plans 2 big events on October 11th & 13th
Entertainment
Caribbean Barrel features Mango and Bahamian Splice Junkanoo Show Group Tonight
K.B. releases new single - Das Why We Savin’ Da Bays
Caribbean Barrel Restaurant Valentine's dinner Experience Under the Stars with 'Jahem & Jazz
Caribbean Barrel features Wilfred Solomon & Magnetics Tonight
Mortimer candidly explores life-defining experiences in new podcast Looking Deep
Sales & Promotions
Shop Spaces available at Grand Lucayan
Lighthouse Pointe Karaoke Fridays and Groovy Old School Saturdays
Lighthouse Pointe Karaoke Fridays & Groovy Saturdays
Lighthouse Pointe Sunday Brunch at Portobello's Restaurant
Lighthouse Pointe - Thanksgiving Day Thursday meal & Sunday Thanksgiving Brunch specials
Arts & Culture
Award-Winning Photographer Eric Rose presented a printed canvas of 'The Hermitage' to the PM Davis
Minister Bowleg Opens “Double Dutch 8” and “Evolution of the Arc” NAGB Exhibitions
Unbox Bahamian Artistry and Live Your Best 'LifestIsle'
Students display culinary skill and creativity in Bahamas Young Chef Competition
'Build Your Best Life' book presented to Willa Mae Pratt and Simpson Penn centres
Streaming Multimedia
Free Uppercut Concert at Dive In postponed due to Matthew
A Mouth Full explores gourmet pizzas at Domino's
Bahamian filmmaker releases "Atlas Calling" as an urgent call to protect the ocean
A Mouth Full: Sweet Treats at Mortimer's Candies
A Mouth Full: Organic Living from 'Field to Fork'
Inside The Bahamas Weekly
Do you need a media consultant, publicist or event promoter?
Contact The Bahamas Weekly Team
TheBahamasWeekly.com Celebrates 11 yrs! Online Survey
Moultrie Elected 54th Speaker of the House of Assembly
Receive our "Top 70 Stories of the Week"
Navigation (Site Directions)
Finding your way around our Website
Opportunities
Groves Famiy Foundation scholarship applications now available online
STEM Summer Camp returns to Nassau for 6th Year
HGTV Seeking Expat Buyers & Real Estate Agents in Nassau, Exuma, Eleuthera & Abaco
BFPA to present talk with Bahamas Film Commissioner in Grand Bahama
Movie Masters featuring Sean Robins - Feb 27th & 28th
The Bahamas Boasts
Shoot your film in Andros, Bahamas
IADB designates Nassau as an "Emerging Sustainable City"
Bahamas announces New Marine Protected Areas
Parallax rides a "Bahama Blue" tide to World Oceans Day
The Bahamian Flag Makes it to the Top of the World
A Taste Of The Bahamas
Bahamas seaplane pilot Paul Harding reveals a lifetime of adventures in new memoir: Sharks in the Runway
(VIDEO) Ocean Waves Nature Sounds of The Bahamas
Etiquette for The National Flag of The Bahamas
Junkanoo: Hidden Treasure of the Bahamas
Bahamas Investment Authority frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Market Place
Land for Sale: Royal Palm Bay
Grand Bahama Hurricane Resistant Warehouses for SALE
Conch Salad on Wheels is available by order on Saturdays Only!
Grand Bahama Hurricane Resistant Factories for SALE
2010 Toyota Vitz for Sale: Proceeds to the Humane Society
Focus on Fashion
Samba Sol Grows its Bahamas Collection
Meet the Bahamian descendent leading LA Fashion Week
Bahamian fashion icon Flo Miller launches book
Theodore Elyett outfits Porsha Williams for the cover of Rolling Out Magazine
Eleuthera fashion designer releases new line
Hot Links
Websites we'd like you to know about...
at a glance
New Providence Events Calendar
Quote of the Week - Words Have Weight
PayPal now accepts Bahamian based credit cards
VAT Bahamas
Free VAT Filing Workshop offered from June 13- June 15 in Grand Bahama
D.I.R Announces Operation Enhancement Measures
VAT Filing & Payment Deadline Changes
VAT: Request for Filing Extensions after Hurricane Matthew
VAT Taken Off Some Educational Fees
Health
PAHO/WHO Country Office of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands hosted a Virtual End of Year Retreat
PAHO urges public health measures and vaccination in light of Omicron variant
Dr Valerie Knowles: Ignoring Mental Health needs put essential workers at risk
PMH Implements measures to manage increase in COVID- 19 Cases
Haiti receives 500,000 vaccines donated by the United States through COVAX
Opinions
Vaccine Maitri: Together We Emerge Stronger
Opinion - COVID-19 Pandemic: India’s response and global strategy
Opinion Editorial: COVID-19 Highlights Caribbean Community’s need to build resilience
Opinion: We must leverage the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’ to counter the economic fallout of COVID-19
Opinion: Coronavirus and climate disasters - Small vulnerable countries face dual threats
Medical Education Review Program (MERP)
DeVry Medical International to close Grand Bahama based M.E.R.P. Program
Join Our Team: MERP Staff Accountant (4 Month Term)
Grand Bahama Minister meets Medical Executives
MERP Supports the Arts in Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama landlords updated on MERP housing requirements
Ross University
DeVry Medical International Calls on Minister Darville
New MERP session underway at Ross Bahamas site
Ross University School of Medicine Expands Affiliation with Premier U.S. Teaching Hospitals
Ross University promotes Dr. George Lotocki to Director of the Medical Education Review Program
Dr. Thomas Shepherd to Retire as President of Ross University
Grand Bahama Real Estate
BeachCottage242.com - Grand Bahama Getaway
Investors eye Old Bahama Bay anticipating Skyline Announcement