BARRIE, ONT, CANADA, August 12, 2021

The Open Air Dunlop Street Project is now even more of a “must visit” destination this summer with the addition of specially designed anti-vehicle barriers and a beam gate to protect the thousands who attend each weekend.

Safeguard Perimeter Solutions, one of the nation’s leading security companies, was given the job of securing the street and creating a pedestrian plaza where people can wander through downtown at their own pace without worrying about dodging traffic.

For the first time in Barrie, Archer 1200 mobile barriers, the same as those used this year around the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. during the Presidential inauguration, were placed on Dunlop Street to secure the area.

“It’s no longer acceptable to put out flimsy wood barriers or cones to protect people in areas such as this,” said Shaine Moore of Safeguard Perimeter Solutions.

The Archer barriers, manufactured by Meridian Rapid Defense Group, are made of 320 kilos of solid steel and will stop a speeding car or truck, yet once placed pedestrians can easily move, unobstructed, past them. They are SAFETY Act Certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

During the height of the COVID-19 outbreak the Archer barriers were also used to create a “no vehicle restaurant and shopping zone” on the tourist hot spot in Centre Street at Niagara Falls.

“Here on Dunlop Street we also installed a rather unique beam gate supplied by Meridian,” said Mr. Moore. “While we needed to make sure that no regular cars could enter to endanger pedestrians, having the beam gate there still ensures that emergency vehicles can get in if necessary.”

Kelly McKenna, Executive Director of the Downtown Barrie Business Association, stated, “We’re creating a safer and physically distanced downtown so the public can support the incredible and truly resilient businesses who are ready to welcome them back.”

Prior to creating what is now effectively a popular pedestrian plaza and outdoor restaurant zone, Safeguard Perimeter Solutions worked with the city and event organizers to prepare a fully certified vehicle safety mitigation plan.

Shaine Moore explained that the Archer Beam Gate, with its specially designed net designed to snare a vehicle, had already proven its worth last month in California. “On day one of the beam gate being set up the driver of a stolen car hoping to escape capture tried to ram through the gate. It did its job, stopped the car completely and he was arrested.”

The secure walking and biking area in Barrie is already attracting thousands of visitors each weekend so much so that many, including Keenan Aylwin, Barrie City Councillor for Ward Two, wants it to become a permanent solution.

“I think we should build our streets to prioritize people instead of just cars. It’s good for business so I think we should even consider expanding this program beyond just doing a few Saturdays every year. I think we should look at permanently pedestrianizing Dunlop Street,” Councillor Aylwin told CTV News.

SANTA MONICA, CA, US, July 29, 2021

One of America’s most visited tourist attractions, the Santa Monica Pier, now has a new and very effective “guardian” watching over it.

Meridian Rapid Defense Group has installed its highly regarded Archer Beam Gate at the entrance to the pier. The gate, placed right under the iconic “Yacht Harbor” entry sign, provides easy access for approved vehicles while at the same time protecting the thousands of pedestrians who visit every day.

Because there are restaurants and shops on the pier, delivery vehicles still need to gain access to the area and the beam gate can be used effectively to ensure that happens.

“With so many tourists and local people out and about enjoying themselves on the pier you have to be sure there will be no accidental or deliberate vehicle intrusions onto the pier. More and more these days this is something security specialists are warning about,” said Peter Whitford, CEO of Meridian Rapid Defense Group.

Within days of its installation the Archer gate proved its worth by stopping a driver in a car who was attempting to get onto the Santa Monica Pier. The net on the gate captured the vehicle, as it was designed to do, and the driver was arrested. The incident reinforced Meridian’s motto of making people, communities, and places safer.

“We looked closely at the location and with the co-operation of Santa Monica, their city emergency service personnel decided the gate, which incidentally needs no power connection and can be operated by just one person, would sit discreetly at the start of the pier. As you can imagine we are very satisfied with the results so far.” said Mr. Whitford.

Maria Rodriguez and her two children, from Sacramento, were visiting Santa Monica Pier for the first time on Thursday. She said, “If this gate keeps us safe while we’re here I’m all for it. I’ve seen those news reports where car drivers lost control and hit people. So, if this keeps cars away from us and everyone else here that’s a great idea.”

The Archer Beam Gate is used all over the U.S. and Canada and most recently on the popular Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. The closing of that street was so popular it has become a semipermanent pedestrian plaza. The Archer Beam Gate is also the “go-to” product for sporting event organizers who need to keep everyone safe by separating cars and fans while still allowing for some restricted vehicle access.

The gate is easily opened and closed and can be put together in just 15 minutes making it the perfect solution for clients who need a quick and easy way to filter traffic from pedestrian areas.

CARLSBAD, CA, US, September 1, 2021

Big crowds were back on the streets of Carlsbad for the annual Village Faire and Meridian Rapid Defense Group was there again to ensure a safe event.

The Faire drew tens of thousands of residents and visitors and the organizers enlisted Meridian to create a large cordoned off pedestrian-only zone that covered five blocks of downtown Carlsbad. It involved bringing in more than 100 of Meridian’s unique Archer 1200 mobile vehicle barriers.

“Whenever you have enormous crowds like that, just one rogue vehicle in the mix can create a serious threat to everyone’s safety,” said Peter Whitford, CEO of Meridian Rapid Defense Group.

The barriers are made of 700 lbs of USA made steel and can be quickly moved into position by one person. In contrast, large concrete and water barriers need heavy equipment to set. This alone has become one of the many reasons Meridian’s Archer 1200 Barriers have become a familiar sight across the US.

In Carlsbad the barriers, with the addition of an Archer Beam Gate (to allow emergency vehicles access), were placed across 20 access points leading to the Faire. Crash tests have shown the barriers will stop a speeding car. They were placed in such a way that no vehicle could pass through, yet pedestrians could move easily between
them.

Meridian worked with the Carlsbad Police Department to get the barriers out quickly before the event. The mobility of the barriers meant that within a short time of the Faire ending, the streets were once again open to
vehicle traffic.

Bret Schanzenbach, CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce told The Coast News, “We wanted to be cautious, but have a great experience.”

“There was excitement in the air, and we ensured that our event planners were careful to implement certain precautions in compliance with health orders, including maintaining plenty of space for people to move around.”

Mr. Whitford said, “We don’t just turn up and drop off our barriers. At Carlsbad and before each and every rental event, Meridian’s fully certified deployment team prepares a certified Vehicle Safety Mitigation Plan and executes it.”

Meridian Rapid Defense Groups sells and rents the Archer 1200 Barriers. The City of Carlsbad owns more than 30 barriers and for this event they rented another 70 to create the secure zone surrounding the Faire.

“Once again this was a very well organized and well attended event, and especially so after such a testing past year,” said Mr. Whitford. “We were happy to have played our part in working with Carlsbad police and city officials to ensure that everyone got to enjoy themselves safely.”

PASASDENA, CA, US, August 30, 2021

Liz Woollen, the recently retired Police Chief at the University of Oklahoma, has given her life to law enforcement and today Meridian Rapid Defense Group is pleased to announce she will be presented with its Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2021 National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition in November in
Phoenix.

Peter Whitford, CEO of Meridian said, “When you look at Liz Woollen’s career I can’t think of a more suitable person for our company to honor. From rookie cop on the beat to heading up several divisions in the Tulsa Police Department to eventually becoming the first female Chief of Police at the University of Oklahoma, she’s done it all.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Meridian, recognizes the long-term accomplishments and contributions of an individual who has earned the respect and admiration of professional colleagues in the sports safety and security community. The award was developed to commemorate exemplary talents and contributions demonstrated by an individual’s dedication, loyalty, ability and integrity.

“I am honored to receive this award from NCS,” said Chief Woollen. “I would like to share it with all our game day stakeholders at the University of Oklahoma for without their hard work and dedication to the safety and security of our athletes, fans and facilities this would not be possible.”

Meridian Rapid Defense Group regularly supplies its unique Archer 1200 Barriers and Archer Beam Gates to colleges throughout the United States. The mobile barriers, 700 lbs. of USA made steel, are a familiar sight guarding events by ensuring that large crowds and vehicles are kept safely apart. Where concrete barriers and unsightly water barriers block a large area making movement in and out of events difficult, the design of the Archer 1200 Barrier allows for easy unhindered access by pedestrians.

Former Chief Woollen described her role over the last 30 years “as being on call 24/7” and decided this year it was time for a break.

“One of the things I’ve never forgotten was OU’s President David Boren telling me, ‘Liz I don’t want our students to leave here with a degree in one hand and a criminal record in another,’ and so I have always lived by that,” Woolen said. “And I have worked really hard on, if they make mistakes, let them learn from their mistakes without having some kind of history that will follow them throughout their career.”

Peter Whitford said, “From everyone here at Meridian, providing the barriers and beam gates to so many colleges is gratifying when you think of how they make a day at a sporting event so much safer for everyone there.”

“Chief Woollen knew only too well how important it was to ensure that every single person at these events got home safely at night. Honoring Liz highlights all the work that goes on behind the scenes on game day and ensures it doesn’t go unrecognized,” said Mr. Whitford.

MILWAUKEE, WI, USA, August 10, 2021

When close to half a million fans poured into Milwaukee to celebrate the Bucks NBA championship win, the pressure was on local authorities to ensure their safety and they chose Meridian Rapid Defense Group to be part of the solution.

Meridian, working in partnership with the Milwaukee Police Department, established a safe zone around Fiserv Forum for the celebrations and parade using Meridian’s Homeland Security approved Archer 1200 mobile vehicle barriers.

Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas said it took a team effort and a lot of planning to secure that section of the city.

“It’s a multi-agency effort to pull off an event like that,” Lucas said.

Meridian’s barriers take the place of the often-used cumbersome concrete and water barriers which need heavy machinery to lift them into place. In contrast, the Archer barriers, made of 700 lbs of USA steel, can be wheeled into place by just one person.

Around Fiserv Forum they were used in three key locations allowing pedestrian access to the celebrations while keeping out vehicles. In such heavy crowd situations cars and celebrating fans can become a dangerous mix.

“Because of the way the playoffs panned out, much of the crowd protection plan had to be put together at the last moment.” said Peter Whitford, CEO of Meridian Rapid Defense Group.

“And, of course, that plan always had the ultimate goal of keeping every single member of that huge crowd safe.” Meridian’s fully certified deployment team worked with the Milwaukee PD to prepare a fully certified vehicle safety mitigation plan.

“This was the first time in nearly 50 years that Milwaukee had hosted NBA Finals games and Meridian was proud to be part of the celebration by helping to create a safe and secure place for everyone to enjoy their historic win,” said Mr. Whitford.

SANTA MONICA, CA, US, July 13, 2021
A man now charged with attempted homicide was arrested after the stolen car he was driving was captured and stopped by an Archer Beam Gate at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier during the July 4th weekend. The gate was manufactured and operated by Meridian Rapid Defense Group.

Moments before the vehicle became ensnared in the gate’s net, which was designed for this very situation, the accused had carjacked the vehicle after assaulting the driver and then getting in the car and running over him.

“We had Meridian install the beam gate at the entrance to the pier to ensure the safety of the thousands of people visiting during the holiday period,” said Lt. Rudy Flores from Santa Monica Police. “The gate did exactly what it was supposed to do and once the accused rammed into the gate it stopped the car from going any further and immediately ended his attempt to drive off.”

The Archer Beam Gate is proving popular because of its ease of use and the speed with which it can be erected and made operational. The gate’s heavy-duty net is designed to capture a vehicle without injuring those inside.

Peter Whitford, CEO of Meridian Rapid Defense Group said, “Once again the Archer Beam Gate has shown its stopping power. In this case the gate was protecting the famous Santa Monica Pier, a very busy area used by both pedestrians and vehicles. The damaged gate was replaced within hours and for the rest of the weekend it effectively separated the crowds from any more possible vehicle intrusions.”

Santa Monica Police charged the 30-year-old man from Texas with attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon and carjacking. The driver was treated for significant injuries. The Archer Beam Gate is often used in crowded places where cars and people are moving close together. Most recently it has become a common sight on the streets of Ventura, CA and on Miami Beach’s famous Ocean Drive.

EUGENE, OR, UNITED STATES, July 22, 2021

For America’s top athletes, the months of training in relatively isolated stadiums during the COVID pandemic were over and the crowds were back to see them compete for a place on the U.S. Olympic team. Meridian Rapid Defense Group was there to keep them safe.

During the 10-day event, up to 9,000 people a day headed into the University of Oregon’s freshly renovated Hayward Field. Meridian’s job was to secure the many streets around the stadium with its one-of-a-kind Archer 1200 mobile anti-vehicle barriers.

The barriers were easily moved by one person (when needed) but can stop a moving vehicle, ensuring that athletes and attendees stayed safe during the competitions. Before the event, Meridian teamed with U.S. Track and Field (USTAF) and TrackTown USA to put together a fully certified vehicle safety mitigation plan.

“Meridian barriers were of great benefit to the perimeter security, adding a new level of flexibility in managing vehicle access,” said Nathan Reynolds, Director of Event Continuity for TrackTown USA.

The Archer 1200 Barriers played an important role by creating safe pedestrian zones on the many streets leading to the stadium.

“They were a great solution to secure fire lane entry points when the crowds were around,” said Mr. Reynolds. “But when we had to, the Archer barriers were easily moved to allow for access in the case of an emergency or during off hours for operational needs.”

Meridian’s CEO, Peter Whitford said, “We were extremely proud to play our part in the Olympic Track and Field Trials. It has been a tough eighteen months for everyone involved in the event business and now it is heartening to see crowds coming back and particularly so to this magnificent venue.”

“Our many clients around the world tell us they are gearing up for a busy period ahead. We’ve noticed a big upturn in requests for our products, not only our mobile barriers but also for the Archer Beam Gate which is also a perfect fit for stadiums such as Hayward Field.”

Meridian’s barriers and beam gates have also provided protection at this year’s Super Bowl and most recently at many Major League Baseball games around the nation, the MLB All-Star Game at Coors Field in Denver, as well as the NBA Finals in Milwaukee.

Schanzenbach, who has a long history with large scale street events, knows the importance of a safe environment. “We want to make sure that all of our visitors can focus on having a great day in one of California’s finest coastal communities. As event hosts, it is our job to create and implement the best possible security plan using the best possible solutions.”

As the largest single-day street faire in the country, the event encompasses Grand Ave as well as several major cross streets. Perimeter enclosure for the Street Faire will utilize a fleet of MERIDIAN barriers purchased by the city as well as additional barriers supplied by MERIDIAN Rental Solutions.

“MERIDIAN’s Archer 1200 is a portable drop & stop vehicle barrier that has been rated to both U.S. and European standards. The barrier employs advanced engineering to achieve the optimal blend of effectiveness with ease of deployment.

This weekend, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce will embark on its 45th annual Village Faire, an event which draws 100,000 people into the main shopping district of Carlsbad Village. This year’s event will include a full perimeter of vehicle mitigation provided by MERIDIAN’s Archer 1200 barrier. With nearly 100 barriers covering 14 city blocks, visitors will enjoy a day of full street access protected by state-of-the-art security recently designated as a qualified technology under the Federal SAFETY Act.

Security and operations planning for the event, hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber, has been underway for months. Stakeholders include the city of Carlsbad, local law enforcement, emergency services, and nearly 850 vendor participants.

“It is no longer enough to set out cones, fencing or water barriers that have no capacity to stop vehicle encroachment. We need a solution built for the problem and demonstrated to protect lives.”
—Bret Schanzenbach, Carlsbad Chamber CEO

“The Street Faire grows in size every year and draws folks from all over California and neighboring states,” said Carlsbad Chamber CEO Bret Schanzenbach. “Given the sheer footprint of the event, we spend a great deal of time planning logistics and security.”

As important as it was to get people tested for the COVID-19 virus, it was equally important that the health workers carrying out those tests were protected in every possible way. For that reason, MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group created a ring of steel, using MERIDIAN’s Archer 1200 Barriers, around the drive-thru testing station at the Rose Bowl.

Consider this. Large numbers of potentially sick or elderly people, daily, driving their cars towards the
healthcare professionals and just one slip on the accelerator and there could be a tragedy of monumental proportions.

MERIDIAN’s barriers are placed at the entrance to the testing station and close to each testing tent. The barriers made of high strength ballistic rated steel were easily placed by one person and are a real contrast to the large concrete or water-filled barriers so often used.

These are the same barriers designed to stop hostile vehicle attacks. Over the years they have protected the crowds at the Pasadena Rose Parade, the New Orleans Mardi Gras, military bases, and many more large crowd events worldwide.

“Until now our business has been focused on mass gatherings of people,” said Peter Whitford, CEO of MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group.

“Recent terrorist attacks with vehicles ramming into crowds are a continuing concern for event organizers, but with the COVID-19 crisis we have pivoted our business and are proudly helping the healthcare workers on the frontline do their job safely.”

“Now,” said Mr. Whitford “our barriers have a new role of protecting the protectors.”