Jonesborough-based Harrell Group talks venue security in wake of Trump assassination attempt

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — In the aftermath of an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, executive security professionals local to the Tri-Cities discussed safety protocols that they follow on a daily basis in their jobs with News Channel 11.

The Harre ll Group is based out of Jonesborough and specializes in services like executive VIP protection, static and patrol services, and risk-vulnerability assessment. Leaders with the company described the process of keeping a client or venue safe during events.

According to the company’s website, it provides “a various number of solutions to effectively minimize threats and keep…assets safe and secure so clients, their employees, and customers feel safe and secure at all times while conducting business.”

The Harrell Group’s Operations Manager for Special Projects Jim Wenzel said more than on-the-ground operations go into protecting and securing a client.

“There’s a lot involved in this,” he said. “And what we’re seeing in there, when it comes to teams, it’s not just your personnel that you see on the ground doing that dirty grunt work. Right. It also comes with managing and bringing in teams of analysts. We’ve got people that are going to be going in, doing open-source intelligence, actually gathering and looking for those viable threats and creating those [information] packages…”

With the Republican National Convention (RNC) taking place shortly after the attempt at Trump’s life, many questions of venue security are being raised. Federal officials stressed that focus on security and safety was priority for the RNC this week.

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