BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Chaos erupted at a job fair held at IBEW Local 428 in Bakersfield on Tuesday morning when witnesses reported hearing gunshots. Although the Bakersfield Police Department has not found any evidence of a shooting, the incident has raised questions about the absence of security personnel to manage the large crowd.
An employee from the union, speaking off the record, mentioned that this was their first hiring event at the location and confirmed there was no security present. Eric Huggins, owner of a private security company, emphasized the importance of having security measures in place for events with large crowds. “If you’re having an event where you have like 400 plus people, there definitely needs to be some sort of security in place,” he said.
Huggins highlighted the dangers of panic in large crowds and recommended having one guard for every 100 people to manage exits, direct traffic, and prevent overcrowding. He also suggested communicating with law enforcement for recommendations to avoid altercations.
Drawing from his experience in crowded situations, such as working at nightclubs, Huggins advised clear communication to de-escalate situations. “Say, ‘Hey, I need everybody standing inside. I need everybody to go out through this particular exit,” he said. For individuals causing issues, he recommended a professional approach to resolve the situation or ask them to leave…