Taking A Look Back

The General Themes Of My Books

Over the years, I have authored numerous books, each written to provide practical guidance to security managers, directors, and practitioners. The general themes of my books revolve around essential knowledge and actionable advice tailored to those in the security field. For instance, consider a young investigator newly appointed by the chief of police. This person might wonder how to navigate their first court appearance or how to handle testifying. My books aim to fill these sorts of knowledge gaps, offering comprehensive information to support practitioners in their roles. While it’s challenging to cover every possible scenario, I strive to address the most pertinent issues effectively.

One of my most popular series includes titles like 150 Things You Need to Know About Physical Security and 150 Things You Need to Know About Investigations. These books emerged from the simple appeal of a catchy, informative title. Inspired by a book I encountered titled 350 Things You Need to Know About Crime Prevention, I realized the value of a straightforward, engaging format. These titles not only attract attention but also promise readers a wealth of concise, practical information.

For example, the 150 Things series caters to new and seasoned professionals alike. Whether someone is suddenly thrust into the role of an investigator or a security manager looking to broaden their horizons, these books provide a quick reference to essential knowledge. The format allows for easy navigation and quick access to critical insights, making them indispensable tools for anyone in the field.

Additionally, I have contributed extensively to more in-depth works, such as the Effective Physical Security series, now in its fifth edition. These volumes offer a thorough exploration of physical security principles and practices, making them valuable resources for security professionals seeking to deepen their understanding.

Writing these books has been a labor of love, driven by a desire to share knowledge and support the next generation of security experts. It’s my hope to empower others to excel in their roles and contribute to the ongoing advancement of the security field by compiling and presenting crucial information in formats that are accessible to as many people as possible.

Influence

I say this humbly, but I am nonetheless proud to be able to say that my books have significantly influenced both legal practices and security strategies. As a security expert witness, I have observed firsthand how published works can shape litigation and enhance the rigor of security protocols.

For example, there is a security expert I know who consistently relies on a collection of ten books, including mine, to support his cases. In litigation, the ability to reference specific pages that detail accepted security practices can be incredibly persuasive. When an expert can point to published material that outlines standard procedures, it becomes challenging for the defense to refute these established guidelines. This not only strengthens the case but also highlights the necessity for sites to be aware of and adhere to best practices.

But, the influence of my books extends beyond the courtroom into practical security strategies. Many institutions, unfortunately, lack comprehensive security plans, leading to chaotic responses in times of disruption. For instance, at Columbia University, having a well-documented security plan could better prepare the administration to handle the recent incidents of trespassing, rowdy protests, and agitators breaking into buildings.

My writings emphasize the critical importance of having robust security plans in place. By detailing the steps necessary to create and implement these plans, my books provide actionable guidance that security professionals can follow to protect their premises effectively. This has a direct impact on how organizations prepare for and respond to security threats, ultimately contributing to safer environments.

Through these contributions, my work has not only advanced the field of security but also provided tangible tools that professionals can use to improve their practices and defend their actions in legal contexts. And I am very proud to have made the contributions that helped facilitate this.

Impact

My favorite book (and the book that I think has been the most impactful) is Handbook of Loss Prevention – particularly the fifth edition. This edition includes extensive content that I am especially proud of, namely the 85-page chapter on crime prevention through environmental design. This chapter alone, with its roughly 35 footnotes, represents a significant contribution to the field, providing in-depth and comprehensive insights that are crucial for practitioners.

The fifth edition stands out because it allowed me to incorporate substantial and valuable information. However, the evolving copyright laws have since made it increasingly challenging to include such detailed content. These laws require extensive permissions for using more than 50 words from any source, including government materials, which complicates the process of compiling comprehensive chapters. Acquiring permissions from numerous sources, some of which may be difficult to trace, adds a layer of complexity that can be overwhelming.

For example, in one of my discussions with the publisher, I faced the challenge of obtaining permissions from authors who had passed away, which required tracking down their next of kin. This, coupled with personal losses—my two sisters and my wife passed away within a short span—led me to step back from writing due to the overwhelming stress.

Despite these challenges, the Handbook of Loss Prevention remains a cornerstone of my work, exemplifying my commitment to providing thorough, well-researched, and practical information to the security industry. I know that this book has personally influenced numerous security professionals and strategies by offering detailed guidance on implementing effective loss prevention measures.

The fifth edition’s extensive content on CPTED also has had a profound impact by educating readers on how to design environments that naturally deter crime. The practical applications of these principles have improved security strategies in various settings, making this book a vital resource for security professionals worldwide.

Lawrence Fennelly is a renowned expert in crime prevention and physical security, with over 40 years of experience and the authorship of 43 influential books. His works, including popular series like 150 Things You Need to Know, provide essential guidance for security professionals.

Fennelly's approach has helped numerous practitioners navigate complex security challenges, offering practical advice that has been pivotal in shaping legal practices and security strategies.
His dedication to sharing knowledge ensures that both new and seasoned professionals are well-equipped to excel in their roles.

Feedback

Over the years, I have received numerous positive responses from readers and peers in the security field. One memorable instance involved a reader who contacted me via LinkedIn about my book, Security in the Year 2020. Even though the book is about a decade old, he had just finished reading it and was extremely enthusiastic about it. His message was filled with praise, expressing how much he enjoyed the book and how valuable he found the insights within. I was genuinely flattered by his detailed and heartfelt feedback.

I’ve also had people approach me at security conferences to express their appreciation for my writing style. Many have told me they love how my books make them feel like I am speaking directly to them. This conversational and engaging approach seems to resonate well with my audience, making complex topics more accessible and relatable.

Interestingly, I don’t actively incorporate feedback into my future works in a direct sense. While I greatly appreciate the kind words and positive reviews, I don’t dwell on them or use them to shape my other works. My focus remains on the task at hand – writing the next book or chapter. The feedback I receive is gratifying and reinforces my belief in the value of my work, but I don’t let it influence my process or content significantly.

I maintain a busy schedule and prioritize my writing and professional responsibilities over archiving feedback. I believe in staying grounded and continuing to produce content that I hope will be valuable to my readers without getting caught up in past accolades. My primary goal remains to provide clear, practical, and insightful information to help security professionals in their work.

Is It Luck Or Skill?

The paper, Is It Luck Or Skill?, explores the fundamental question that resonates deeply within the security field—and beyond. The inspiration for this paper came from a real-life incident involving a security manager on a stakeout. After hours of fruitless surveillance, he decided to call it quits, only to encounter the target vehicle on his way home. His quick thinking led to the recovery of stolen property and the arrest of the perpetrator.

This story raises a profound question: Was the successful outcome a result of skill or sheer luck? This dilemma isn’t unique to security work. The significance of this paper lies in its exploration of the interplay between skill and luck. It challenges readers to consider the extent to which their successes are due to their abilities versus fortunate circumstances.

In my experience, both elements often play a role. Skill is essential in preparing and positioning oneself for success, but luck can sometimes be the deciding factor in critical moments. This theme is particularly relevant in security and investigative work, where outcomes can hinge on a mix of expertise and unexpected opportunities.

I was happy that this paper resonated with many in the field, as evidenced by feedback from peers who have experienced similar situations. This connection underscores the paper’s importance and its ability to provoke thought and discussion about the nature of success in security.

Penguins

I also wrote a paper about penguins with a touch of humor to draw an analogy between the lives of penguins and the roles of security officers within a company. Not much has been documented about the success of penguins, but their incredible work ethic and teamwork are undeniable. Penguins exemplify the principles of providing excellent customer service, which is a result of their rigorous training. They thrive in a healthy work environment, symbolized by their diet of fresh fish, and are known for their dedication and focus on their duties to achieve their goals.

The story highlights several key aspects of penguin behavior that humans, especially security officers, can learn from:

Teamwork

Penguins work seamlessly as a unit, teaching the value of collaboration and mutual support. Similarly, security officers should work together cohesively to ensure the safety and security of their environment.

Work Ethic

Penguins are known for their strong work habits and resilience, even in harsh conditions. This mirrors the perseverance required of security officers, who must remain vigilant and proactive regardless of challenges.

Training And Customer Service

The training penguins undergo to provide excellent care for their young can be likened to the training security officers receive to offer superior customer service and maintain high standards of professionalism.

Goal Setting And Achievement

Penguins set clear goals, make plans for the future and stick to their tasks until their goals are accomplished. This is a crucial aspect of leadership and productivity that security officers can emulate.

My aim in using penguins as a humorous yet insightful analogy was to illustrate how security officers can improve their job performance and productivity. This includes practical suggestions, such as:

• Assigning security officers to check fire extinguishers monthly within a complex.
• Having officers report on burned-out lights both inside and outside the property.
• Implementing other steps to systematically increase productivity based on my own experiences in the security field.

While light-hearted, this analogy carries significant lessons about teamwork, dedication, and efficient operation. It serves as a creative way to inspire security officers to enhance their performance and productivity through a model of natural efficiency and cooperation found in penguin colonies.

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