How to ‘terror proof’ shopping malls

By KARIUKI WAWERU

Many will remember September 21 as a day when one of the finest shopping malls in Kenya was hit by terrorists, killing many and injuring hundreds.

As a real estate consultant, I ask myself this question: “How can a property manager ‘terror proof’ a shopping mall?”

Lessons from Israel

Donald Story, in an article, How Should Malls Address Terrorism? draws some examples from Israel. He says Israeli shopping centres are protected by a series of concentric perimeters. Motorised patrols survey the exterior area, including parking lots, outside the mall property, supplemented by some foot patrols; and each vehicle that enters the property is subjected to a search.

At pedestrian entrances, each person is also subjected to a search by officers equipped with explosive detection technology. Bomb detection dogs are now being introduced as well.

The interior is patrolled by both uniformed and plainclothes officers. Surprisingly, the length of time required to enter the property or to gain access to the internal area of malls is minimal, and customers and employees do not find the few moments of extra time an inconvenience.

All security officers are armed. Given the compulsory military service in Israel, the populace is trained in weapons handling and military discipline so recruitment of security officers with military training is simpler than it is in Kenya. Additional security training is continually provided to the officers.

oil exploration site

These lessons from Israel are not far-fetched. I spent about three months doing some work in an oil exploration site in northern Kenya.

We lived in a camp on a parcel of land approximately ten acres in size. It was very well fenced off and we had round-the-clock armed police patrol in this remote site. Here, the slogan “Safety First” was replaced by a tougher slogan, “Safety Only”.

There were companies that have specialised in providing security in oil exploration sites — both onshore and offshore. These companies are headed by former British military personnel. We had one of these companies offering security in our camp.

These military officers train the local administration police on combat skills that improve the officers’ skills.

They also conduct random fire and security drills so that in case of an attack, God forbid, we would know what to do.

If such care is taken to protect a handful of exploration personnel, how much more should we do to protect the many thousands that frequent shopping malls, churches and mosques in Kenya? I have a few suggestions:

Security officers should be trained on how to recognise certain behaviour profiles and intercept potential terrorists. They should also embrace the use of explosive detectors when screening cars and people. Also, have a “safe haven” in each mall, one inside and another outside. A “safe haven” is a bulletproof zone that people can run to in case of gunfire.

buffer zone

A buffer zone is another option.  An area around the mall, maybe 10 metres wide, where vehicles are not allowed to drive past. This will reduce the likelihood of a serious attack in case of a car bomb.

Secure the basement parking so that the vehicles driving into the basement are thoroughly checked before they are driven in. The management can also conduct fire and security drills from time to time to monitor the level of preparedness of staff and patrons.

At the same time, deliveries should be restricted to time periods when personnel are available to verify documentation. Contractors and their material should be similarly checked.

 

— The writer is an author and real estate expert