British politician Jo Cox dies after being attacked at public meeting
“Cox was attacked outside the Birstall library after holding a regular public meeting with constituents, said Robert Light, a Conservative councilor from nearby Birkenshaw.” via CNN
While most executives, politicians, and public figures are able to go about their daily lives without a protective detail following their every move, their lives do become become inherently more complicated whenever they agree to a planned public appearance.
Regardless of circumstance or scenario, whenever the general public has a reasonable expectation of a time and place a public figure can be found, protective considerations should always be employed as preventative measure.
It is important to understand why these events have an increased level of risk. Unlike an off-the-record, or impromptu appearance (think President Obama making a pit-stop at Shake Shack) where the likelihood of an attack would be considered “Low” — events that are publicized in advance give a would-be-attacker critical information like dates and location, and most concerning, time to plan.
The chances of something happening? A statistically low percentage. But if it happens…it’s 100%
For the violent offender, the single most significant factor in targeting an individual for attack is likelihood of success. Without a high-likelihood of success, a would-be-attacker will transfer their efforts to someone who is more exposed and easier to approach. Eliminating those small windows of exposure when approachability is most likely to occur by unknown and un-vetted persons is of critical importance.
Securing transportation, leaving airports, checking into hotels, arriving/departing events, and partaking in public engagements all present variables of uncertainty that can be drastically minimized with effective planning and logistical coordination.
Awareness + Preparation = Safety
