MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group has again been recognized by the United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) with the globally authoritative Certification of the Archer 1200 Anti-Terrorist Vehicle Barrier as an “Approved Product for Homeland Security” pursuant to The SAFETY Act.

The Archer 1200 Barrier and related equipment and technology is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading mobile vehicle mitigation barriers and is widely used by security organizations and the military. It is also used at all levels of police and law enforcement, event organizers and facilities managers to protect and defend against every type of vehicle incursion from terrorist plots to accidental and unintentional. The Archer Barrier weighs 700 lbs. and is made of high-grade 100 percent American-made steel and meets NATO standards for .50 caliber ballistic protection while providing extraordinary stopping power. The Archer Barrier is readily mobile and easily moved in and out of position by one person.

Peter Whitford, MERIDIAN founder and CEO said, “We are proud the Archer 1200 Barrier has been singled out for its strength and life-saving performance. The 1200 Barrier has been critically tested to both the U.S. and European crash standards. The Certification under the U.S. SAFETY

Act recognition reaffirms that our U.S. and international customers all benefit from extraordinary protections from liability in the event of a terrorist incident.”

Jim Miller, MERIDIAN’s Head of Global Corporate Compliance and Governance, added that “Our entire MERIDIAN team greatly appreciates the exceptional leadership and guidance provided by the dedicated professionals and experts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Certification that Homeland Security has awarded to MERIDIAN is not only a momentous event in the history of our company, but an important confirmation and encouragement of the MERIDIAN mission to make people, communities and places safer.”

Most recently MERIDIAN has expanded its mission by rapidly responding to the urgent needs arising from the COVID- 19 emergency and deploying the Archer 1200 mobile barriers to protect health specialists at temporary drive- through virus testing stations in the U.S.

During the iconic Pasadena Parade of Roses in January 2020, more than 400 Archer Barriers were used to protect the massive gathering of people along the over five-mile parade route. Shopping malls and farmers’ markets have also been made safer by the presence of the Archer 1200

WHAT IS THE SAFETY ACT?
The purpose of The SAFETY Act is to ensure that a threat of liability does not deter manufacturers of anti-terrorism technologies from the development,
manufacturing and distribution of new products that could significantly reduce the risks or effects of terrorist events. Companies that supply products and services than can be used to detect, defend against, or respond to acts of terrorism may seek coverage under the law.

WHO IS PROTECTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT?
The protections afforded to MERIDIAN under The SAFETY Act extend to and flow down to all MERIDIAN customers, supplies, vendors, users and others in its supply chain from third party claims related to any act of terrorism as determined by DHS. These protections by the U.S. Federal Government are extended to both U.S. and international customers, including acts of terrorism that occur or originate outside the U.S.

In Los Angeles, the hometown of MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group, protests and riots over the weekend resulted in a call to MERIDIAN for help in further securing the city’s most popular shopping precinct, The Grove.

“We were fortunate, with the help of police and other emergency services, to be able to get into the area and pass through several road closures, to deliver two trailer loads of Archer 1200 Barriers,” said MERIDIAN CEO Peter Whitford.

For several hours on Saturday, the surrounding streets of The Grove were at the epicenter of the protest.

Archer barriers are now in place at all vehicle entrances to The Grove, which has been a regular user of the Archer 1200s, maintaining a safe but discreet environment for the large crowds at the prestige shopping and lifestyle location. Because the Archer 1200 is “drop & stop” ready and requires no heavy equipment, the barriers could be deployed in rapid response to the growing threat.

“While MERIDIAN is there to help, we look forward to a quick return to normal for all of the city,” said Mr. Whitford. “But for the moment the barriers will provide a secure zone for employees and repair teams to work behind as the city hopefully, quickly returns to normal.”

Elsewhere around Los Angeles over the weekend, it was “business as usual.” Archer barriers were on-site to protect many of the Farmers’ Markets that have recently re-opened.

When the largest outlet mall in New Jersey needed to be protected during this period of protests and looting MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group arrived and secured the property with its one of kind “silent security guard,” the Archer 1200 Barrier.

High-end stores were being broken into and looted in nearby New York so The Mills at Jersey Gardens, a Simon property, with its many entrances, took no chances and called in MERIDIAN to secure its perimeter.

Dominick D’Orazio MERIDIAN’s Regional Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Specialist explained: “The 23 barriers we set up around Jersey Gardens will prevent the sort of looting we’ve seen elsewhere. These Archer barriers will prevent suspicious vehicles from gaining access to the stores and parking lots because, as we saw, those looters arriving in cars and SUVs are the ones getting away with the largest amount of stolen items.”

The Archer 1200 mobile barrier, while it has the strength to stop a ram raid by a car or a truck, can be easily moved in minutes to allow delivery vehicles to enter. The barrier doesn’t require power or heavy equipment to move it.

“Jersey Gardens is just one of many properties around the U.S. the Archer is now protecting during this unsettling period,” said Peter Whitford, MERIDIAN CEO. “Only yesterday the head of security at one of those shopping centers told me during the height of the unrest in Los Angeles several suspicious looking vehicles drove up to the property but then left after seeing the barriers made it impossible to get in.”

The joy of shopping in an open-air farmers’ market is now a lot safer.

MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group has worked with many markets for years using its very own set of “strong and silent security guards,” the Archer 1200 Barriers, which when placed at the entrances and exits to markets, provide an impenetrable and safe shopping environment.

The danger has been that these markets, traditionally set up in the heart of urban areas, bring hundreds of strolling pedestrians into close proximity to traffic. And that mix can be messy. Hundreds of accidents, property damage, and even some deaths have driven fire departments and city councils to insist on better perimeter control.

To add to that, recently the COVID-19 emergency threatened the closure of some farmers’ markets unless market management found a way to create the social distancing now required. In recent weeks, as the country began to open up in a controlled fashion, these markets have been some of the first businesses to emerge. However, regulations for vendor spacing, one-way flow, and social distancing have forced them to rethink their footprints.

At the popular Atwater Village Farmers’ Market in Los Angeles, the only option was to move some of the vendors onto the adjoining street. The issue was solved immediately with a set of Archer 1200 Mobile Vehicle Barriers providing a ring of security.

A spokeswoman for the market said, “We needed to close the road next to us to expand our market because of the new social distancing plan we brought in. Everyone spoke so highly about MERIDIAN’s customer service we decided to go with them.”

“I think the customers are thankful that we have the barriers here to make for a much safer shopping experience,” she said.

It is all part of MERIDIAN’s ongoing relationship with farmers’ markets. On market days at other markets including Beverly Hills, Carlsbad, and Mar Vista the Archer 1200 vehicle mitigation barriers are placed at street entrances making for a discreet but secure shopping zone.

MERIDIAN’s quick drop mobile barriers are ideal to quickly and safely lock down the market area. Unlike fixed or cumbersome temporary concrete or water-filled barriers, the Archer 1200 has the most flexibility of any product in the marketplace. A set of barriers can be in place in less than 10 minutes and while they provide complete security, people can easily move between them to enter or leave.

Peter Whitford, CEO of MERIDIAN said, “As the world has pivoted and changed, I can tell you we have heard from intelligence agencies that the people who want to do harm have also pivoted and changed.”

Mr. Whitford explained there is quite a bit of interest when shoppers first see the mobile barriers. “They tell me that they are thankful that the farmer’s market, themselves, are being responsible, not just to the stall owners, but also to the people attending. And that really makes them happy,” he said.

When the City of Miami made the momentous decision to close the famous Ocean Drive in South Beach to traffic and turn it into a pedestrian plaza MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group was there to help. Ten blocks of the colorful and iconic street are now closed off with MERIDIAN’s Archer 1200 Barriers and Archer beam gates.

City leaders said the closure is primarily to allow restaurants with outdoor seating to create distance by extending tables into the street, something that Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis mentioned in his recent COVID-19 briefing. “You’ve had some cities where they’ve closed parts of the street so that people can have more room outdoors and that’s just based on the science that this thing is not as transmissible outdoors as it is in an enclosed environment.”

The Archer barriers are placed at every street entrance to Ocean Drive and while creating an impenetrable barrier to vehicles attempting to enter, they still allow pedestrians the freedom to enter and leave.

The mobile Archer Beam Gates are placed at several locations allowing permitted vehicles and delivery trucks to still enter Ocean Drive to service the restaurants, hotels, and businesses. The Archer Beam Gates don’t require electricity or hydraulics and are deployable in one hour.

Eric Alms, MERIDIAN President said, “It has been a pleasure to work with Miami Beach PD over the years and we are delighted to be involved with one of the most remarkable street closures to allow the city to re-open to businesses and the community.”

Miami is emerging from a nearly two-month COVID-19 lockdown, which crushed its hospitality-based economy and, in turn, cut into the tens of millions in resort taxes and parking fees the city receives.

MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group is working with other cities throughout the U.S. to create similar “safe zones” for restaurants and other businesses to expand onto the streets while the COVID-19 emergency continues.

The city of Green Bay, Wisconsin was the latest to call on MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group’s mobile anti-vehicle barriers to protect people during recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations.

More than a thousand protestors had planned to walk from a local park to Green Bay police headquarters, and Police Chief Andrew Smith explained to council members how the barriers, newly acquired by the city, would be used.

“The idea is that the protestors will be safe from vehicles intruding into the area. These barriers will stop a car or a truck getting anywhere near the demonstration,” Chief Smith said.

“I was pleased to see the mobile barriers were able to protect both the people and community in what happily

turned out to be a peaceful demonstration,” said MERIDIAN CEO Peter Whitford. “With the COVID- 19 pandemic and now the demonstrations around the U.S., we have seen our Archer barriers take on very different and very effective roles.”

In Pasadena, California the barriers were placed around the tents at one of the county’s largest drive-thru testing centers. The barriers provided health workers with a secure zone to carry out tests while people stayed in their cars. In Los Angeles at The Grove, Archer barriers were brought in to protect the iconic lifestyle and retail center when looters were destroying nearby shops. In Miami Beach, Florida the Archer barriers allowed the city to create a pedestrian plaza on the usually heavily trafficked Ocean Boulevard. There is now a safe environment with restaurant owners moving onto the street to create larger outdoor dining areas.

Once again MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group has stepped up to provide protection for demonstrators during a peaceful rally.

Nearly a thousand people gathered in downtown Martinez, CA for a Black Lives Matter demonstration and march beginning at the site where a couple painted over a city-sanctioned Black Lives Matter mural. The defacement occurred on July 4th and infuriated residents.

On short notice MERIDIAN, through its partnership with TriCal Rentals of San Francisco, arrived with 36 Archer 1200 mobile barriers and locked down the entire route of the march. The plan created a solid “no go zone” for vehicles attempting to enter the area and therefore ensured the safety of the large crowd.

Mike Estanol from the Martinez Police Department said, “By having the MERIDIAN barriers at every key entry point around the city we were able to quickly and effectively close down vehicle traffic. It created a large safe zone for our residents taking part in the demonstration. I liked the barriers because people could move freely past them while still stopping cars and trucks.”

The Archer barriers guarded against any driver trying to get into the center of the city for the wrong reasons. During the gathering protestors peacefully took a knee for eight minutes and 46 seconds, marking the time the Minneapolis Police Officer was kneeling on George Floyd’s neck before he died.

“We were called at the last moment when authorities in Martinez realized the march was attracting many more people than they originally planned for,” said Peter Whitford, CEO of MERIDIAN. “Along with our partner TriCal, we rushed the mobile Archer barriers to Martinez and within the hour on Sunday morning had the streets locked down.”

During the riots in Los Angeles recently MERIDIAN’s barriers played a similar role at The Grove shopping and lifestyle center. More recently Archer 1200 Barriers are being used to protect outdoor diners by creating “safe streets” around the U.S.

Police in Arvada, Colorado are taking on a couple of dozen new “silent helpers” to ensure the safety of its citizens.

MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group supplied the city, the beautiful first-ring suburb of Denver, with 32 Archer 1200 mobile barriers as part of Arvada’s ongoing program to make the streets safer for pedestrians.

Arvada Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Detective Dave Snelling said, “When it comes to the security of our citizens, we strive to be better, we strive to be innovative. With the assistance of MERIDIAN’s Archer barriers, the Arvada Police Department is able to think about this community’s safety, so the people don’t have to, because that is our job.”

Arvada purchased 32 Archer 1200 mobile barriers which are designed to solve a variety of security issues. The barriers maintain a safe but discreet environment for crowds. Because the Archer is “drop and stop” ready and requires no heavy equipment, the barriers are easily deployed by one person. They are designed to replace the unsightly old-style wooden and orange water-filled barriers so often used for crowd control.

“When our community asked, we responded,” said Detective Snelling. “With the MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group’s mobile barriers, we chose one of the best systems possible.”

MERIDIAN CEO Peter Whitford explained because of the COVID-19 pandemic the barriers, originally designed as an anti-terrorist ram-raid deterrent and capable of stopping a car or a truck, recently took on a new role.

“In the past weeks our Archer barriers are now protecting newly created pedestrian plazas around the U.S. where restaurants are moving tables and chairs onto the streets to create safe social distance dining areas,” he said.

Mr. Whitford added, “Arvada prides itself as an innovative community, and they looked closely at alternatives. We are proud to say they chose MERIDIAN as their partner to make the city streets so much safer.”

MERIDIAN barriers were recently deployed during the riots in Los Angeles to protect major shopping precincts. They are also on the streets of Miami Beach’s famous restaurant row on Ocean Drive providing a safer dining experience.

When California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that for the second time indoor dining at restaurants would be banned because of the spread of COVID-19, it was especially painful for restaurant owners already struggling with dramatic losses. But now thanks to the City of Pasadena working with MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group restaurants along busy Colorado Boulevard have been thrown a lifeline. The restaurants are protected by a mix of barriers including MERIDIAN’s Archer 1200 mobile barriers. The city plan resulted in large sections of the boulevard in front of restaurants being cordoned off to create safe on-street dining zones.

“We are pleasantly surprised how business for both lunch and dinner picked up once the barriers went in,” said Armen Shirvanian, owner of Pasadena’s popular Mi Piace restaurant.

Diners in his restaurant were enjoying the new experience. “We feel very safe here. Even though the cars are that close the barriers sure make us pretty secure,” said Barbara Tarlau a first-time diner from Porter Ranch, CA.

Mr. Shirvanian is hoping the city will go one step further: “Now we have seen this be successful I would like to see the City of Pasadena make it permanent or semi-permanent,” he said. “Initially I was skeptical because of the loss of street parking but now it has worked really well.”

Peter Whitford, MERIDIAN’s CEO said: “For those restaurant owners who are expanding their footprint out into the street there is no doubt the safety of diners and staff is their most important issue. So, we were happy to be asked by Pasadena city officials to help find a solution with our Archer barriers.”

The mobile Archer 1200 Barriers are placed at the front of each enclosed
dining area. Their 700 lbs. of American made steel can stop an out of control car or truck. They provide the perfect solution for cities wanting to help restaurants get back to business while at the same time providing safety for the public.

Archer barriers are also protecting diners in Ventura, CA. where the city closed off ten city blocks to create an outdoor mall and in Miami Beach, FL. where many restaurants have also expanded out onto the street.

As last Saturday neared, it became clear to police in La Mesa, CA that the planned Black Lives Matter demonstration was going to attract large numbers of demonstrators. That is when law enforcement called MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group. MERIDIAN quickly arrived with its mobile anti-vehicle barriers. Within hours MERIDIAN, using its SAFETY Act Certified Archer 1200 Barriers, sealed off an entire “safe zone” in La Mesa where both protestors and police could operate without fear of being struck by a rogue vehicle.

Back in May, rioters on foot and in cars caused widespread damage to many local shops and businesses. This time the local police were taking no chances.

“The City of La Mesa has experienced several protests recently and one resulted in a riot with attempts to burn down our police facility,” explained Capt. Matt Nicholass from La Mesa Police Department. “During the planning of an upcoming protest on August 1, our goal was to provide the safest area possible for our protestors, law enforcement personnel, and citizens.”

The barriers and an Archer beam gate were placed on streets at the most critical access points to the designated protest zone. Law enforcement strategy was designed specifically to prevent vehicle traffic from entering high pedestrian areas.

“MERIDIAN Barriers were our solution,” said Capt. Nicholass. “They were quickly installed, very maneuverable, and provided the level of safety we were seeking. They provided reassurance that the protestors and officers were protected.”

Peter Whitford, CEO of MERIDIAN said, “We are a company which specializes in responding rapidly to requests of this type. We had the Archer barriers deployed and then quickly removed allowing the city to get back to normal. Once again we are proud to be the ‘go-to business’ when authorities need a quick solution to a particular situation.”