Maryland’s vibrant calendar of family-friendly events promises joy, connection, and lasting memories. Whether it’s a lively community fair, a bustling farmers market, or a scenic park festival, these gatherings provide an opportunity to bond with loved ones. But amid the excitement, it’s important to prioritize safety to ensure a worry-free experience. Enjoy peace of mind by making Maryland family events memorable and safe with practical tips and expert security measures. By staying informed and proactive, you can fully embrace the joy of these special occasions while minimizing risks for you and your family.


The Importance of Safety at Family Events

Family events are moments of celebration and togetherness, but they also bring unique challenges that require attention. Maryland’s events are often large and lively, attracting diverse crowds. While these gatherings are planned with care, unexpected situations like misplaced children, crowd surges, or unattended belongings can arise.

Being proactive about safety ensures a smoother experience for everyone. Small steps, like identifying event layouts and planning ahead, help reduce potential risks while improving overall enjoyment.

Key considerations include:

Proactively addressing these potential concerns ensures that your family’s time at Maryland events remains both joyful and secure.


Identifying Potential Risks at Events

Family-friendly events may feel secure by nature, but risks can still arise if precautions aren’t taken. By recognizing potential hazards in advance, you can mitigate many common challenges.

Some potential risks include:

To reduce these issues, identify key safety measures and familiarize yourself with event security personnel upon arrival. Being prepared empowers families to react quickly and confidently to any unexpected situation.


Pre-Event Preparation Tips

Preparation serves as the foundation for a safe and enjoyable outing. Spending time planning beforehand helps eliminate surprises and ensures everyone knows what to expect.

Ways to prepare before attending an event:

Taking these precautions reduces stress, allowing your family to focus on the fun instead of potential setbacks.


On-Site Best Practices for Families

Once you arrive, staying alert and organized enhances your family’s safety. These best practices ensure your group remains together and protected throughout the event.

Important on-site safety tips include:

By practicing situational awareness and staying proactive, you can minimize risks while enjoying a carefree experience.


The Role of Professional Security in Family Safety

Security professionals often serve as the unsung heroes of safe events. Their presence reassures attendees, helps manage crowds, and ensures swift responses to emergencies.

Key roles played by security services include:

When organizers invest in skilled security personnel, they create an atmosphere where families feel confident and secure. For attendees, trusting professional teams to address risks allows them to focus on enjoying the event.


Enhancing Event Safety with Defender Secure

At Defender Secure, we understand the importance of maintaining safety without compromising enjoyment. Our tailored security solutions meet the specific needs of Maryland’s family-friendly events.

How Defender Secure contributes to a safe event environment:

Whether it’s a local festival or a large public gathering, Defender Secure’s commitment to family safety ensures peace of mind for all attendees. Working with us means prioritizing community well-being while creating spaces where families can thrive.


Closing Thoughts: Balancing Fun and Safety

Family events offer a chance to create treasured memories, but ensuring safety must remain a top priority. By planning ahead, staying vigilant during events, and relying on professional security services, you can enjoy every moment with confidence. A proactive approach not only reduces risks but also ensures that every Maryland event you attend is safe, fun, and truly memorable.

Let Defender Secure help make your next family outing an unforgettable experience where safety meets joy.

Chad Emrick

Scheduling Adminstrator

As Scheduling Administrator, Chad leverages twenty years of administrative and management experience to enhance Defender One’s operational excellence. For Chad, the scheduling process is like putting together a puzzle—finding just the right pieces to fill every slot. His strategic mindset and knack for process optimization have consistently elevated his organizational efficiency. The security industry is 24/7. Thus, Chad’s methodical preparation and adaptable management style keeps our operations running smoothly.

When not orchestrating schedules at Defender One, Chad dedicates himself to his treasured role— a devoted family man. He and his wife Wanda have raised four remarkable children. Most recently, adding a new dimension to his life’s joy is his grandson, Leo.

Phil Kline

Regional Manager – Baltimore Metro Region

Phil’s career began in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a Military Police Officer. His training as an Internal Response Unit member equipped him with essential skills in safety, security, and crisis management. One of his most fulfilling experiences was responding to Hurricane Sandy, where he played a vital role in assisting those affected by the disaster.

Following his military service, Phil transitioned to the building supply industry, where he spent a decade as an Operations and Sales Manager. During this time, he honed his leadership, process improvement, and industry analysis skills. His passion for identifying opportunities and driving positive change has been a constant throughout his career.

With a strong foundation in problem-solving and a resilient mindset, Phil is dedicated to applying his expertise to create impactful solutions. Whether leading teams, optimizing processes, or tackling complex challenges, he approaches every task with integrity and a focus on results.

Outside of work, Phil is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and camping. One of his most memorable adventures was conquering the challenging hike to the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Utah.

Walter Leslie Jr.

Operations Manager

Walter is an observant and vigilant, safety-driven security professional with 14+ years of leadership experience across commercial, residential, and corporate security sectors. Walter offers extensive expertise in developing and executing comprehensive physical security procedures and protocols. Specializing in risk assessments, he has successfully implemented mitigation strategies for clients, reducing potential security threats.

Outside of work, he is family-oriented and enjoys traveling with his wife Jackie, and their dog Aries. He is an avid sports enthusiast and loves the Washington Commanders and Washington Nationals.

Cynthia Cox

Human Resources Manager

With 21 years of management experience across various industries, including staffing, transportation, small business ownership, accounting, and operations, Cynthia brings a wealth of knowledge and a robust skill set to Defender One. Her diversified background has equipped her with a keen understanding of multiple business domains, making her an invaluable asset to the team.

Matthew Goodman

Assistant Director of Operations
Matt currently serves as Defender One’s Assistant Director of Operations. Matt is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Defender One and works closely with the Director of Operations & Training to implement goals and objectives for the company. As a nationally certified School Resource Officer and Force Science Analyst, Matt brings an interpersonal and holistic approach to the industry. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from York College. Outside of work, Matt is an avid outdoorsmen, spending time perfecting his landscaping skills. Matt also enjoys quality time with his wife Ashley, and two cats, Ollie and Leo, as well as watching the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens.

Jennifer Krieger

Director of Human Resources
Jen currently serves as Defender One’s Director of Human Resources, managing our HR and back end finance teams. Jen has 30 years of experience in healthcare benefits administration, retirement benefits, financial planning and human resources. Jen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master’s Degree in Finance from Loyola University. Jen prioritizes an employee focused and driven company, with an emphasis on client and employee satisfaction. Outside of work, Jen enjoys running, watching her daughter play Division 1 Lacrosse, and playing with her grand-dogs.

Jared Krieger

Director of Operations & Training

Jared serves as the Director of Operations & Training at Defender One, where he oversees the company’s operations and staff training programs. He holds a Master of Science in Homeland Security & Disaster Management and a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security & Counterterrorism. He is a Certified Security Project Manager and is board-certified in security management. He is also board-certified as a Physical Security Professional by the American Society of Industrial Security. As an accredited law enforcement instructor, Jared specializes in multiple disciplines, including Firearms, OC Spray, Expandable Baton, Handcuff Techniques, Taser, Defensive Tactics, and Force Science Analytics.

Outside of work, Jared enjoys traveling and spending time with his girlfriend and their three dogs.

Jon Krieger

Owner
Jon is the President and Founder of Defender One. Jon started Defender One in 2009, with the goal of bridging the gap between conventional security guards and law enforcement. Jon had a long and distinguished career in a large metropolitan police department for over 30 years, holding supervisory positions in several units, including patrol, internal affairs, traffic and community outreach. Jon has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park. Outside of work, Jon spends his time spoiling his grand-dogs Fred and Barney, supporting the Ravens and Orioles, and watching his daughter play Division 1 Lacrosse.