So often two is better than one, and that is certainly the case now that MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group is teaming with Nashville’s Associated Protective Service.

Both companies are leaders in the industry and now Associated Protective Service has the latest in mobile anti- vehicle technology courtesy of MERIDIAN.

Along with a host of security services, Associated Protective Service specializes in event security. MERIDIAN’s Archer 1200 mobile barriers and Archer Beam Gates have continually proven to be the perfect fit for large and small-scale corporate events, demonstrations and street parades.

Recently, because of COVID-19, MERIDIAN’s Archer’s took on a new role and are out on the streets of many cities protecting outdoor dining zones. The Archer 1200 has the strength to stop an out of control car or truck but if need be is easily moved. Unlike most barriers, it doesn’t require power or heavy equipment to move.

Peter Whitford, MERIDIAN’s CEO said, “We couldn’t have done better to find an affiliate such as Associated Protective Service to work alongside. They operate on the same principles as our company – keeping people safe using the best possible product.”

Associated Protective Service has offices in Nashville and Washington DC and is a fully bonded and licensed private security firm led by a team with more than 65 years combined law enforcement, military and private security experience.

“It’s not every day that products such as the Archer 1200 Barrier and the Archer Beam Gate come along that are truly game-changers,” said Jacob Pilarski, the group’s operations manager.

“They are products that are easy to get behind, and I am excited to be able to offer them to clients. We look forward to growing a business and client base with the help of MERIDIAN,” said Mr. Pilarski.

MERIDIAN Rapid Defense Group is fast-tracking operations by working with restaurants to create safe outdoor dining areas using its mobile Archer vehicle barriers.

The need for greater attention to the issue comes following the death of a restaurant patron and injuries to eight others in San Jose, CA when an elderly driver lost control of his SUV.

San Jose Police Sgt. Christian Camarillo said, “The driver thought he was using his brake but accelerated and then went speeding across a street, over a sidewalk, and into the restaurant.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of many restaurants for indoor eating, MERIDIAN has helped restaurateurs “get back to business.” MERIDIAN’s unique Archer 1200 mobile vehicle barriers are being used across the U.S. to secure outdoor dining zones. The American-made steel barriers can stop a car or truck at lethal speeds.

Peter Whitford, CEO of MERIDIAN explained, “At the famous restaurant district in Ocean Drive in Palm Beach, Florida the entire area was secured by Archer vehicle barriers and Archer beam gates to create a pedestrian plaza. The restaurant owners told us business was great once the area was secured.”

In the California cities of Pasadena, Ventura, and West Hollywood, restaurants were able to spill out onto the street thanks to a “ring of steel” created by MERIDIAN’s barriers.

In North Carolina, MERIDIAN partnered with the City of Wilmington and restaurant organizations to create “Curbside Wilmington” with MERIDIAN barriers enabling restaurant owners to offer large, secure areas for outdoor dining.

“Our safe outdoor dining model has now expanded with great success,” said Wilmington mayor, Mike Purzycki.

MERIDIAN’s Mr. Whitford said restaurants need to look closely at creating safe spaces next to moving traffic. “A series of collisions in New York, like that in San Jose, has highlighted that swiftly-assembled, flimsy outdoor dining setups just aren’t good enough. These terrible tragedies can be averted if the correct equipment is used and the correct decisions are made at the very beginning,” he said.

PASADENA, CA, UNITED STATES, January 10, 2019

Security was top of mind as anestimated 700,000 spectators lined the streets of Pasadena to view the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade. Dozens of Meridian Rapid Defense Group’s Archer 1200 vehicle mitigation barriers were on hand to ensure that crowds had state-of-the-art defense from vehicle encroachment. Protection also extended to the Rose Bowl Game and float viewing areas immediately following the event.

The events draw attention on a worldwide stage and the Pasadena Police, Pasadena Fire and Department of Homeland Security coordinate on safety planning efforts.

“Our number one priority is the safety and security of all of our guests, participants and all others who play a part in the success of our events,” said David Eads, CEO of the Tournament of Roses, at the pre-event public safety press conference.

Flexible deployment and portability were key requirements in supporting the series of activities that began at dawn New Year’s Day and extended through January 3rd. Archer 1200 vehicle barriers deployed near the main grandstands at the start of the parade route needed to provide protection while efficiently allowing the flow of thousands of ticket holding pedestrians. In addition, the security perimeter needed to accommodate quick access for emergency vehicles. In fact, the Chinese American Heritage Foundation’s float required swift handling as it suffered a debilitating fire when it neared the bend in the route from Orange Grove to Colorado Boulevard. Vehicle barriers at the Rose Bowl Stadium also needed to allow for changing conditions.

“As you can imagine, there are a lot of moving parts to an event like this,” said Rose Bowl Stadium Chief Operating Officer George Cunningham. “We have a hundred thousand people to admit into the stadium, team buses that need access and thousands more enjoying the public FanFest on the Rose Bowl grounds. A security solution has to be not only effective but capable of adapting to a changing set of requirements as the event goes on.”

The Archer 1200 barriers are also outfitted with advertising placards used to promote the event and its sponsors. Visitors from Washington and Ohio in town to support teams in the Rose Bowl Game were eager to engage with the signage as fan photo ops. “I think they are great,” said Ohio State University supporter Brian Ingram. “You need to have security and these look like they would certainly do the job, but they also fit in like they belong.”

The Archer 1200 barrier is a certified solution meeting both U.S. and European standards of protection. It provides a vital alternative to ad hoc measures that are not tested for effectiveness. These include cement rails and plastic water barriers which are designed to keep cars on the freeway as well as public vehicles like trash trucks, fire engines, and squad cars. The latter poses a significant risk of equipment costs should an incident occur.

“We developed the Archer 1200 to fill an important need gap in urban security,” said Peter Whitford, CEO of Meridian Rapid Defense Group. “There simply is no product in the marketplace that performs to testing standards and delivers the flexibility and ease of deployment.”