Thwarting Corporate Sabotage
About
Problem
A respected Mid-Atlantic energy company was leasing a parcel of land and conducting critical business operations on the property. Unfortunately, a dispute between the company and the landowners arose. In addition to pending legal action between both parties, the landowners unlawfully attempted to physically disrupt the energy company’s business operations on the property. This included trespassing, theft, vandalism, and other malicious acts. The company was worried about the health& safety of their team members, project progress, and the potential compromise of their environmental protection measures on site. Site security as well as documenting these activities for use in the suit were both critical.
Solution:
The RiP Group applies a simple yet critical three-step process when formulating a solution for a client:
- Information gathering
- Mission planning
- Procedural review and confirmation
Information Gathering
The RiP Group met with energy company representatives and thoroughly reviewed the site, discussed the illegal activity, and listened carefully to their concerns and needs moving forward.
From our meetings, we developed a security plan inclusive of:
- Providing site access control and parameter security,
- Documenting the manner of earlier interference, and
- Conducting covert collection of evidence.
Mission Planning
With solutions specified, we next outlined the security and operational personnel and equipment needed. This included drones and properly
trained FAA certified drone pilots. We then generated, recorded, and trained the security team on the specific actions and procedures they would employ on site.
Procedural Review & Confirmation
We reviewed the action plan with the client, highlighting the rationale for every measure and activity. It is imperative that clients firmly understand what will take place on their respective sites and that agreement is reached prior to going live with security operations.
For this engagement, specifics included:
- Security project management and daily reporting,
- Static security checkpoints and traffic control,
- Mounted and dismounted roving patrols,
- Drone operations with terrain mapping and site construction progress
updates too; - Wireless and CCTV security camera systems, and
- Health, safety, and environmental monitoring and reporting with special
attention to erosion and sediment control failure.
With the plan locked-in and agreed upon, we moved to implementation. At the beginning of the project, our team addressed a number of attempts to disrupt operations and damage property. This included the release of livestock onto the site and more serious actions such as arson and theft.
Throughout the engagement, we maintained a fluid operational tempo as needs changed or challenges occurred. For instance, we were asked to also monitor energy company personnel and contractors for intoxication and report it accordingly. We also altered and improvised certain parts of the operation and reporting due to inconsistent wireless and internet infrastructure on the rural site.
About
Results
We turned around the situation on-site quickly in a matter of weeks. Soon after program implementation, energy company personnel were no longer distracted and all felt safe. They could focus on what they were there to do. Productivity increased and progress on the project advanced on schedule as originally planned. Additionally, we successfully collected evidence needed for the legal proceedings. Their management team was thankful and impressed.
The RiP Group continues to preserve security on the site although all of our original measures are no longer necessary such as the roving guards. We are currently handling security at a second site and they hired us handle their COVID-19 screening needs as well. They are currently considering The RiP Group for security services across their entire enterprise.