“I think I speak on behalf of my friends and it’s quite reassuring that these barriers are here to stop a car from driving in. You wouldn’t want to see a car get into the middle of that huge crowd.”— Marina Rodriguez, USC football fan. 

LOS ANGELES, CA, US, November 23, 2021

The annual Los Angeles cross-town rivalry game between USC and UCLA once again drew huge crowds to the USC campus for the traditional tailgate parties, and Meridian Rapid Defense Group was on hand to assist in ensuring a safe pre-game event.

The university is crisscrossed by wide walkways, which created a security issue for university authorities. To ensure no vehicles could enter the heavily crowded areas Archer 1200 mobile barriers were positioned at all entry points.

“We are finding more and more universities are deciding to use the Archer 1200 Barriers because of their mobility and the way they are a lot less intrusive than the old-style concrete barriers,” said Peter Whitford, Meridian’s CEO.

Marina Rodriguez, a USC fan, was walking to a tailgate party, saw the barriers and said, “I think I speak on behalf of my friends here and it’s quite reassuring that these barriers are here to stop a car from driving in. You sure wouldn’t want to see a car get into the middle of that huge crowd.”

Mr. Whitford explained, “One rogue vehicle, driven in on purpose or by accident, could create a tragedy of mammoth proportions. So being able to prevent that using our barriers is increasingly becoming the simple answer to a complex problem for many universities across America.”

The Archer 1200 Barrier is made of 700 lbs of American steel, yet it can be easily moved into place by one person. An essential part of any set up is the agreement that Meridian will provide a fully certified vehicle safety mitigation plan (VSMP) to clients to ensure the safest of events.

Meridian provides Archer 1200 Barriers on a regular basis to many other schools including the University of Alabama, University of Tennessee, and the University of Arizona as well as NFL teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Meridian Archer 1200 Barriers are “SAFETY Act Certified” by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) providing the ultimate standard in keeping people, communities, and places safer. For more information about Meridian Rapid Defense Group and the Archer 1200 vehicle barrier or beam gate visit www.meridian-barrier.com.

JUDGES ARE IMPRESSED BY THE SAFETY PLAN FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST PARADES IN AMERICA

PHOENIX, ARIZONA, November 11, 2021

Protecting more than 800,000 people attending the annual New Year’s Day Rose Parade followed by the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, CA is without a doubt one of the toughest security jobs of the year.

Meridian Rapid Defense Group did just that and now Meridian’s Safety Mitigation Plan for those events has won the prestigious Golden Eagle Award at the 2021 National Sports Safety and Security Conference in Phoenix.

Daniel Ward, NCS4 Director of Training and Exercise said, “The Golden Eagle Award is an opportunity to recognize those technologies, services and processes that meet security needs and effectively account for the unique operating environment created by sporting and entertainment events.”

The winner was chosen from three finalists and voted on by the pool of NCS4 participants which included security experts across multiple sports and disciplines. They were asked to take into account everything from relevance to the sport industry, establishing the balance of fan experience while creating a safe crowd environment and the creativity and innovation that leads the industry forward.

Both the Rose Parade and the football game are designated by the Department of Homeland Security as (SEAR)-1-level security events. The Meridian security plan covered a large geographic footprint and a complex traffic scenario that required coordination and consensus-building at the local, state, and federal levels.

After accepting the award Eric Alms, Meridian’s President explained that MRDG’s plan was a significant improvement in security effectiveness with Meridian deploying 443 Archer 1200 barriers across three primary locations: the Rose Bowl Stadium, the parade route and the command center.

“Past events relied on traffic management products such as water barriers and type 3 barricades which aren’t certified to stop errant vehicles and using those is just not good enough these days,” said Mr. Alms.

“We are very proud to win this award because it’s great recognition for all of our Meridian staff who worked day and night before and after the events to ensure that everyone at both the parade and the football game had an enjoyable and most importantly, a safe time.”

Archer barriers are SAFETY Act-certified and crash test rated to stop hostile vehicles while also being both mobile and modular. This allowed for the event perimeter to be closed in a fraction of the time and reopened to regular traffic flow quickly.

Meridian staged the barriers along the parade route and at the stadium a week before the event, allowing law enforcement, local businesses, and the public to become familiar with the new solution. Fliers were distributed to every business near deployment, and company websites were showcased on the barriers to allow people to familiarize themselves with the product.

Meridian Archer 1200 Barriers are “SAFETY Act Certified” by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) providing the ultimate standard in keeping people, communities and places safer. For more information about Meridian Rapid Defense Group and the Archer 1200 vehicle barrier visit www.meridian-barrier.com

CALIFORNIAN CITY PUTS SECURITY OF COMMUNITY FIRST AND FOREMOST

PASADENA, CA, US, October 11, 2021 As the host of one of the world’s greatest street parades, Pasadena, CA takes no chances in keeping safe the close to one million attendees. Once again, the city has chosen Meridian Rapid Defense Group to be part of the solution.

This week the City of Pasadena agreed to purchase another set of Meridian anti-terrorism vehicle barriers and a trailer for use at the Tournament of Roses Parade which is held every New Year’s Day and for the many other events throughout the city.

A city official explained, “Vehicle mitigation strategies are a necessity as vehicle assaults are one of the primary forms of attack at large events and gatherings by Home Grown Violent Extremists (HGVE) and/or terrorists.”

The official pointed out that in 2018 and 2019, the Pasadena Police Department utilized Archer 1200 Anti-Terrorism Vehicle Barriers to secure the Rose Bowl Parade route after discovering that the security being provided by water filled barriers was inadequate.

Security was stepped up for all events in Pasadena starting with the Rose Parade after a driver deliberately drove a truck into the Christmas market next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin in December 2016. The incident claimed the lives of 12 people and injured 56 others.

“Pasadena has been at the forefront of pedestrian security,” said Meridian CEO Peter Whitford. “At the most recent Rose Parade we were chosen to secure the entire parade route using more than 400 of our mobile Archer 1200 Barriers.”

“The city was most impressed with how quickly all of the barriers were staged in the hours before the parade and just as quickly removed after it was all over allowing traffic to flow again freely,” he said.

City leaders were told: “It is in the city’s best interest to award the purchase order to Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC as the barriers will help to mitigate any potential HGVE attacks and other vehicle incursions into secure areas.”

Meridian’s Archer 1200 Barriers are made of 700 lbs of USA made steel, and are Homeland Security Certified safe and can be quickly wheeled into place by one person.

Meridian Rapid Defense Group rents and sells barriers throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and Europe.

Meridian Archer 1200 Barriers are “SAFETY Act Certified” by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) providing the ultimate standard in keeping people, communities and places safer. For more information about Meridian Rapid Defense Group and the Archer 1200 vehicle barrier visit www.meridian-barrier.com

TORONTO, CANADA, September 24, 2021

Tens of thousands of people on foot and on bikes are expected to be on Lake Shore Boulevard this weekend and Safeguard Perimeter Solutions is joining the city in ensuring they arrive and go home safely.

For the first time more than 40 unique mobile barriers will be rolled out to create safe zones on Lake Shore Boulevard. The company will also set up two Archer Beam Gates which can snare an out-of-control vehicle. The beam gates will provide access for emergency and city vehicles.

The usual large numbers of Toronto residents and visitors, who have been making the most of ActiveTO (the city’s popular safe streets project) will be boosted with the start of BigArtTO, where temporary public artworks are projected onto local buildings and landmarks.

“We’ll be using the same Archer 1200 mobile barriers that were used in Washington D.C. in January during the Presidential Inauguration. You’ll also see them at many other major events throughout North America,” said Shaine Moore of Safeguard Perimeter Solutions.

“With so many people walking and biking they can be reassured that no car or truck, whether by accident or on purpose, can break through the new safety cordon that these barriers will provide. And now with the start of BigArtTO there’ll be even more folks out there checking out the artwork, so keeping them all safe is our number one priority,” he said.

Barbara Gray, General Manager of Toronto City’s Transportation Services said, “Our city program now gives people the opportunity to walk and bike and get out during these times of COVID-19. So, we want to make sure we are providing protective facilities and therefore do it safely.”

Mr. Moore pointed out that the real attraction for cities such as Toronto is that the Archer 1200 Barriers can be moved into place by just one person unlike other temporary barriers which need heavy lifting equipment.

The Archer 1200 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 at the tourist hot spot in Centre Street at Niagara Falls. Once again, this year they will be used at the NFL Super Bowl as well as NBA and MLB games.

Meridian Archer 1200 Barriers are “SAFETY Act Certified” by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) providing the ultimate standard in keeping people, communities, and places safer. For more information visit www.meridian-barrier.com

LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, September 30, 2021

College Football at the Rose Bowl in California and Bryant-Denny Stadium in Alabama, ACL music festival in Austin, TX, Jacksonville Jazz Festival in Jacksonville, FL, and the 49th annual Hometown Fair in Manhattan Beach, CA are just a few of the events Meridian Rapid Defense Group will be providing security for this weekend.

Event organizers across the country have been quick to appreciate the ease with which Meridian’s unique and mobile Archer 1200 Barriers can be moved into place, doing away with the heavy lifting needed to position the more cumbersome concrete and unsightly water barriers.

“We are getting great feedback from all these clients who rent our barriers,” said Eric Alms, Meridian’s President. “The Austin City Limits music festival is one example. It’s returning for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and we’re proud to have been chosen to help ensure the safety of the tens of thousands of fans who will be attending.”

This weekend Meridian’s barriers will also be placed for the first time at the ShoalsFest country music festival in McFarland Park in Florence, AL, featuring local star Jason Isbell and Drive-By Truckers. The Archer 1200 Barriers, as with all the other locations, will be placed to ensure free access for the crowds while creating “a vehicle free zone.”

Meridian Rapid Defense Group rents and sells barriers throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and Europe. The Archer 1200 Barriers made of 700 lbs of USA made steel are SAFETY Act Certified and can be quickly wheeled into place by one person.

Mr. Alms said, “Creating these secure pedestrian zones, which really turn into pedestrian plazas, using our pure mobile barriers and beam gates takes away a major issue which has been a real headache for event organizers in the past. And you can see by how many events we are protecting these days how successful our products are.”

“It’s going to a big weekend of work for our Meridian teams who do the set up and break down and remain at the ready throughout the event,” said Mr. Alms.

Meridian Archer 1200 Barriers are “SAFETY Act Certified” by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) providing the ultimate standard in keeping people, communities and places safer. For more information about Meridian Rapid Defense Group and the Archer 1200 vehicle barrier visit www.meridian-barrier.com

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.