Whether you’re organizing a concert, political rally, sporting event or festival, any type of event that involves large groups of people will have some inherent security risks. Not only are you responsible for making sure your events go off without a hitch, but you’re also in charge of making sure everyone who attends is kept safe.

This is why it is a good idea to have professional event security services on call to keep a close watch over the proceedings. If you’re on the fence about whether you should make the investment, take a few moments to consider what event security companies can do for you.

Here are some of the most important reasons it makes sense to have someone watching over your large gathering.

Avoid Chaos
Large groups of people mean there’s a higher chance of unruly behavior. An argument between two concertgoers can quickly escalate into a fight that puts those around them in danger.

Having security personnel on the scene watching for signs of trouble means that anyone causing a disturbance or otherwise creating an issue can be dealt with swiftly. In most cases, all that’s needed is a reminder that aggressive or unsafe activities can lead to that person’s ejection from the venue. The mere presence of guards at the event can also have a calming effect on crowds because of the implication that troublemakers will be handled promptly.

Restrict Unauthorized Guests
Another crucial reason to have security for your event is to keep gatecrashers away from the paying customers. Anyone who is not authorized to be at your event introduces an element of uncertainty into the mix, creating a potentially volatile situation. With a professional firm there to check tickets or media credentials, it ensures that only those you want to attend will be able to enter.

Ease Parking Concerns
One of the most challenging aspects of any large-scale event is managing the parking as guests arrive and depart. This is especially true of outdoor concerts and festivals, where parking lots are often improvised and may not be easily accessible by main roads or highways.

With so many people coming in or leaving at roughly the same time, there’s a high probability of traffic jams and frustrated drivers. However, hiring a security firm can provide officers who may be able to help direct the flow of vehicles in and out as part of their duties.

Protect VIPs
Events are often centered around high-profile individuals. These may include musical artists, celebrity guests or politicians. Although being in front of a large crowd is part and parcel of what these VIPs do, not all the attention they receive is positive. Whether it’s from overzealous fans, angry constituents or stalkers, this type of negative reaction can lead to problems if they are allowed to get too close to the person in question.

Although many VIPs have personal bodyguards keeping a close watch over them, having additional security personnel interspersed throughout the crowd provides an extra line of defense to help thwart any unwanted interactions.

Prevent Losses
The hustle and bustle of large-scale crowds creates a favorable environment for thieves. Many events feature merchandise booths or pop-up gift shops where attendees can buy souvenirs. Even if they don’t feature anything more valuable than T-shirts, theft can seriously eat into the profitability of these gatherings. This is another instance when having active security patrols on the grounds can make a tremendous difference in discouraging and stopping crime.

Regardless of why you want to bring a large assembly of people together, every attendee deserves to be kept safe so they can focus on having a good time. Hiring a professional security firm is one of the most important steps you can take in that regard.