We face a perpetual tension between preserving individual freedoms and ensuring security, especially at major public events. Nowhere is this challenge more evident than in the Northern Territory, where diverse cultural gatherings, sporting events, and political rallies demand a nuanced approach to public safety. The fundamental question remains: How can security be enforced without infringing on the liberties that define an open society?
History demonstrated that a government’s role should be limited to protecting individuals from harm rather than micromanaging their lives. However, an unchecked approach to freedom leads to anarchy, while excessive control fosters tyranny. The key to balance lies in a security apparatus that serves as a protector, not an overlord. At major events, this means ensuring that attendees feel safe without being subjected to unnecessary intrusions.
Public safety should not be predicated on broad, arbitrary measures that treat all attendees as potential threats. Instead, security personnel must be trained to apply selective and evidence-based scrutiny, using behavioural analysis rather than reactive crackdowns. This requires a shift from reliance on mass surveillance and blanket restrictions to proactive strategies that deter criminal activity without trampling civil liberties. This is the wheelhouse for security personnel.
Security professionals are more than enforcers, we are arbiters of order. The most effective security strategies at major events involve pre-emptive assessment and mitigation of risks rather than reactive suppression. Proper training in situational awareness, conflict de-escalation, and non-invasive crowd management techniques ensure success.
A well-structured security operation does not rely solely on force or coercion but on an understanding of human behaviour. Profiling, when used ethically, distinguishes genuine threats from ordinary attendees. This approach allows security personnel to act with precision rather than resorting to indiscriminate force.
Good security teams integrate seamlessly with law enforcement agencies while maintaining their autonomy to make rapid, on-the-ground decisions. This ensures that response times are swift, and that security remains fluid rather than rigidly bureaucratic. Overregulation of security operations leads to inefficiencies, where protocol supersedes practicality.
The deterrence of criminal elements at major events is best achieved through strategic visibility and unpredictability. Static checkpoints and overbearing security measures create bottlenecks that frustrate attendees while doing little to prevent actual threats. A more effective approach involves a mix of uniformed presence and plainclothes operatives who blend into the environment, monitoring for anomalies. In the Northern Territory an effective method is using a polo type uniform, as it is less formal and more environmentally effective, access guards will often wear a brighter uniform than supervisors or roaming guards.
The success of crime prevention hinges on the ability to identify pre-incident indicators, those subtle behaviours that signal intent. Understanding human nature allows security teams to intercept threats before they materialize rather than merely reacting to incidents after the fact. This method also prevents the erosion of public trust, as people feel protected rather than policed.
There is an undeniable financial burden that comes with excessive security measures at major events. Heavy-handed approaches lead to increased ticket prices, higher costs, and, paradoxically, a decline in attendance. When people feel overburdened by security protocols, they are less likely to participate in public events, resulting in economic stagnation and reduced civic engagement.
There is a psychological impact of over-securitization. The public perception of being constantly monitored breeds distrust in authorities, leading to social fragmentation. This is particularly relevant in a region like the Northern Territory, where community engagement is the backbone of cultural and economic vitality. Security measures must be implemented with discretion to maintain public confidence and participation.
I personally recommend training security personnel in behavioural threat assessment, a balanced mix of operatives, and the use of technological advancements like facial recognition monitoring. I believe in decentralised incident response, training security teams to act independently within predefined guidelines, avoiding bureaucratic bottlenecks.
This is why I often separate ex-service personnel from working together, through systemic training in government run services and directive control measures, these personnel lose the ability to be free-thinking, often lack empathy, and are inflexible. Whilst not technically sociopathic, the rewarded behavioural traits acceptable in the military, and policing are a barrier when trading with the public.
Exploiting weaknesses is not engaging in mutually beneficial trade outcomes. Security should not be an external force imposed on an event but a cooperative effort that includes input from organisers and attendees alike.
Major events in the Northern Territory only succeed when they are spaces where freedom and security coexist rather than conflict. The goal of security is not control but protection. By adopting a strategy rooted in intelligence, deterrence, and proportionality, it is possible to safeguard public spaces without dismantling the very freedoms we are meant to protect.
“A society that embraces security at the expense of liberty will find itself with neither.” A society that rejects security measures in the name of unrestricted freedom invites chaos. The balance lies in prudent policy, ethical enforcement, and a deep understanding and respect of human behaviour. From the author.
The opinions and statements are those of Sam Wilks and do not necessarily represent whom Sam Consults or contracts to. Sam Wilks is a skilled and experienced Security Consultant with almost 3 decades of expertise in the fields of Real estate, Security, and the hospitality/gaming industry. His knowledge and practical experience have made him a valuable asset to many organizations looking to enhance their security measures and provide a safe and secure environment for their clients and staff.
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