Feb 12, 2026
Security Controls in Multi-Family Housing: What Works, What Fails, and What Truly Improves Safety
Security in multi-family housing is no longer viewed as a luxury. It is a core part of tenant safety, property performance, and community trust. As residential communities grow and criminal behavior becomes more sophisticated, property owners and managers must think carefully about how security is designed, maintained, and supported day to day.
Through years of evaluating properties and advising clients, I have seen how small gaps in security can quickly turn into major vulnerabilities. I have also seen how thoughtful, layered security measures can significantly improve safety when they are consistently applied.
Jan 24, 2026
How “Reasonable Security” Varies by Region and Why It Matters in Lawsuits
When it comes to premise liability and negligent security cases, the concept of reasonable security is often central to the discussion. What is considered "reasonable" security can differ greatly depending on the region, local crime patterns, building types, and even cultural expectations. Understanding these regional variations is critical for the trier of fact, as it helps define a standard of care.
Jan 18, 2026
Regional Crime Patterns & Foreseeability in Premise Liability
In premise liability litigation, foreseeability—whether a property owner should have anticipated a risk—is central to understanding foreseeability. Increasingly, attorneys and expert witnesses rely on crime pattern analysis and public crime datasets to demonstrate whether the risk of certain crimes was predictable based on trending.
Nov 30, 2025
Inside Bar & Entertainment Venue Incidents: How Environmental & Operational Failures Create Negligent Security Exposure
Bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues operate within fast-paced, high-energy settings where alcohol consumption, dense crowds, and constant movement significantly elevate risk. These environments routinely experience predictable forms of disorder, including altercations, falls, theft, medical emergencies, and assaults. Because these conditions are inherent to nightlife operations, the central legal question in negligent security cases is whether the venue took reasonable steps to address foreseeable hazards.
Nov 30, 2025
Security Challenges in Bars & Nightlife Venues: Managing Risk in High-Density Environments
Bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues operate within one of the most dynamic and unpredictable security environments. Unlike retail or office spaces, nightlife settings combine high occupancy, low lighting, alcohol consumption, and elevated social interaction, which together increase the likelihood of incidents ranging from fights and assaults to theft, disorderly conduct, and medical emergencies.
Oct 20, 2025
Entertainment Venue Security: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Entertainment venues concentrate people, emotion, alcohol, cash, and social media into tight spaces and at predictable times. This makes them attractive targets for opportunistic crime, interpersonal conflict, and disruptive crowd dynamics. From a negligent security perspective, jurors expect operators to anticipate these realities. The difference between a near miss and a catastrophic claim often comes down to fundamentals: controlled ingress, clear egress, trained staff, and good operational security protocols.
This blog summarizes common pitfalls I see in entertainment venues and litigation, along with practical, defensible controls that raise safety and reduce exposure.
Oct 20, 2025
The Impact of Access Control Innovations on Premise Security
Access control is no longer just a collection of door hardware and badges; it is the operating system that governs how people, deliveries, and services move through a facility. For property owners and litigation teams, that shift matters. When a claim involves unauthorized access—tailgating, a propped door, a compromised credential—the court’s scrutiny increasingly centers on whether the access control program was reasonable for the risk profile, well‑maintained, and updated in line with available technology. In other words, innovation doesn’t just add convenience; it can influence the standard of care.
This article summarizes the practical impact of modern access control—especially, magnetic locks—on premises security. It also outlines how an expert witness evaluates systems for foreseeability, adequacy, and program maturity in Chicago and throughout nearby states such as Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio.
Sep 27, 2025
Threat, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment
Minimizing liability begins with three concepts: threat, vulnerability, and risk assessment (TVRA). These terms are foundational to the security profession, yet they are also critical tools in litigation and to prove or disprove negligence.
When properly applied, TVRA assessments transform complex security failures into a clear narrative. They establish foreseeability, quantify negligence, and provide the evidence needed to persuade the trier of fact. This article explores the role of TVRA in litigation, security consulting, and proactive property management.
Sep 20, 2025
Lighting and Safety: How Poor Maintenance Increases Liability
Lighting is one of the most critical yet overlooked components of property safety. In premises liability cases, inadequate or poorly maintained lighting is a frequent factor in determining whether a property owner or manager met their duty of care. From parking lots and stairwells to entryways and hallways, lighting design and maintenance play a key role in deterring crime, reducing accidents, and demonstrating proactive security practices.
This article explores the legal and safety implications of lighting failures, the role of lighting expert witnesses, and why preventative maintenance is a necessary investment in liability reduction.
Aug 23, 2025
The Changing Face of Parking Management: How Automation and Design Choices Shape Liability Risks
Parking facilities are evolving rapidly. Across Illinois and the Midwest, operators are trading cashiers for kiosks, attendants for cameras, and round-the-clock lighting for energy-efficient motion sensors. These changes promise lower costs and smoother operations — but they also bring new questions about safety and liability.
From shopping centers and airports to high-rise residential towers, parking garages and lots are transitional spaces where safety is often taken for granted. When a crime or accident occurs, plaintiffs increasingly argue that shifts in technology or staffing created foreseeable risks. Understanding how these changes impact liability exposure is essential for owners, operators, and property managers.
Jul 20, 2025
The Psychology of Theft and Vandalism: Insights for Security Professionals
Understanding the why behind theft and vandalism is just as critical as preventing it. For property owners, attorneys, and security professionals alike, exploring the psychological drivers behind these crimes reveals more than just motives—it uncovers vulnerabilities in security programs that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Jul 20, 2025
The Evolution of Access Control: From Keycards to Biometric Technology
Access control systems have undergone a significant transformation over the past few decades, driven by technological innovation and an evolving understanding of security threats. From the simplicity of lock-and-key mechanisms to the sophistication of biometric authentication, this progression reflects a broader shift toward more intelligent, adaptive, and risk-based security practices.
This article explores the evolution of access control, tracing its path from traditional keycards to today’s advanced biometric systems—and what that means for security professionals, facility operators, and risk assessors.
Jun 25, 2025
Hotel Security: Reducing Vulnerabilities in Hospitality
In today’s hospitality landscape, security is no longer a behind-the-scenes consideration—it’s a core component of guest satisfaction, brand reputation, and operational resilience. Hotels, especially those in urban centers like Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis, are high-traffic, open-access environments where safety must coexist with comfort.
Whether it’s a boutique property in Milwaukee, a full-service hotel near convention centers in Des Moines, or a resort outside a major metro area, hospitality operations face a complex array of security challenges that demand thoughtful planning and continuous evaluation.
Jun 16, 2025
High-Rise Multi-Family Security Challenges: Protecting Tenants and Assets
High-rise multi-family properties have become fixtures in the urban housing landscape, particularly in dense metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Des Moines. These buildings offer scale and efficiency but also introduce complex and often underappreciated security concerns. As cities expand upward, building owners a are increasingly tasked with demonstrating that their security programs can anticipate, prevent, and defend against known risks.
With nearly three decades of experience in physical and operational security across a wide range of property types, I’ve found that high-rise residential buildings—particularly those with mixed-use footprints or legacy construction—require a different level of planning, precision, and accountability than their low-rise or single-family counterparts.
May 23, 2025
Visual Evidence in Litigation: The Power of Data Storytelling
In high-stakes litigation, facts matter—but how you present those facts can make all the difference. For jurors unfamiliar with crime data, incident logs, or security operations, written reports alone often fail to convey the true scope of a case. That’s where visual evidence becomes essential.
May 10, 2025
Bar and Restaurant Security: Lessons from Premise Liability Cases
When patrons step into a bar or restaurant, they expect a safe and enjoyable environment. Yet, in the world of nightlife and hospitality, incidents of violence, theft, or injury can—and do—occur. These incidents often raise complex legal questions around premise liability, and more specifically, whether the establishment implemented reasonable security measures to prevent foreseeable harm.
Apr 21, 2025
Security on a Budget: Cost-Effective Measures That Enhance Security
In today’s economic climate, property managers and business owners are constantly balancing budget limitations with the rising need for security. Fortunately, enhancing security doesn’t always require expensive infrastructure or top-of-the-line technology. With strategic planning and targeted improvements, you can implement affordable security solutions that reduce risk and increase peace of mind.
Apr 14, 2025
Enhancing Apartment Complex Security to Reduce Liability
In multifamily housing environments, maintaining a safe and secure setting is more than just a tenant amenity—it’s a legal obligation. Property owners and managers must take proactive measures to prevent foreseeable threats. When they don’t, they risk significant exposure under premises liability law.
Mar 25, 2025
Workplace Violence: Preparation and Prevention Strategies
Workplace violence is a growing concern across industries, posing risks to employees, customers, and business operations. Organizations must take a proactive approach to mitigate these risks through comprehensive workplace violence prevention strategies. Businesses should assess vulnerabilities, develop policies, train and implement best practices to ensure a safe working environment.
