Miami is a city known for it’s nightlife. Like many of the world’s top party destinations, when the lights go down, the music turns up and the drinks begin to flow. With over 30 different clubs spread out across the the city’s 55 square miles, there’s no limit to the fun to be had. However, Miami club goers have more reason to be cautious than ever before. Just this year Miami was named one of the top 20 most dangerous cities in the U.S. and the most dangerous city for women.
After the horrific shooting at the Pulse nightclub in neighboring city, Orlando, many have called for increased security in Miami nightclubs. A petition has been added to change.org calling for city officials to require nightclub owners to install metal detectors in their establishments, but that call has been largely disregarded. Clubs have responded to the Pulse attack by beefing up security personnel, and increasing communication with city law enforcement. While these measures are appreciated, Miami clubs will need to do three additional things if they are serious about patrons’ safety.
1) Equip Security Personnel With Metal Detector Wands
It’s highly unlikely clubs will be installing walk through metal detectors anytime soon, but they could opt for a more affordable alternative. Wands run at less than one tenth the cost of a walk through metal detector and can be purchased for as low as $120. If door security were armed with metal detectors, the odds of weapons unknowingly entering a club would become slim to none. While wands are an admirable addition to club security, they aren’t the only protective measure that should be taken.
2) 911 Emergency Buttons
It may not be difficult to open your phone and dial three digits, but the seconds it would take to do that may be more seconds than you have in an emergency situation. Not to mention, the sight of a phone would only further aggravate an attacker. Miami nightclubs should partner with police to install 911 emergency buttons throughout their facility. The buttons could be placed in key locations throughout the club such as at the bar, at the door, and in the bathrooms. In the event of an emergency police could be alerted in an instant with the simple click of a button.
3) Enhanced Communication With Police
Following the Pulse nightclub shooting, police officials were given tours of local nightclubs in the club district so they could familiarize themselves with the building layouts. While that is certainly a step in the right direction, Miami nightclubs should further open lines of communication with the police. Each club should submit building schematics to the miami police for their records. Any and all occurrences should be recorded, and Police should increase patrol frequency for clubs that have a higher propensity for aggressive incidences.
While these safety precautions are not bulletproof measures for preventing future club attacks, they would significantly deter and mitigate dangerous situations down the road. If Miami clubs are serious about protecting their guests, they should highly consider making these changes.
Mark Kaire, partner at Kaire & Heffernan, LLC, has been practicing personal injury and negligent security law in Miami for over 20 years.