FROM THE PUBLISHER
ISSUE # 92 ❖ SUMMER 2022
MICHAEL B . AND SAVANNAH POLICE DEPARTMENT ’ S EXECUTIVE PROTECTION TEAM .
NO PHOTOS PLEASE
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN EXECUTIVE PROTECTION TEAM
I meet with clients nearly every day as part of publishing this magazine , and there are some questions I hear repeatedly . “ What ’ s your circulation ? What are your advertising rates ? What ’ s your street distribution like ?” These questions , I get a lot . “ Who are all these tough-looking characters following you around ? Why are they sweeping my office for threats ? Are you being stalked ?” These are questions I don ’ t get very often . In fact , up until a few weeks ago they were questions I had never been asked .
But my clients that day had reason for confusion . I did , in fact , have several tough-looking characters following me around , keeping a vigilant eye out for any threats and ensuring my complete safety . Fortunately , they weren ’ t there to deter any potential stalkers . They were there because this job has some amazing fringe benefits from time to time .
It started with a call from friend and assistant deputy director for Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team ( CNT ), Gene Harley . “ We have an executive protection team ’ s final exam this week ,” he told me , “ And we need someone to play executive .” Naturally , I jumped at the opportunity and you ’ re lying if you say you wouldn ’ t either . And so I found myself going about my daily business swarmed by a seven-man security detail and a two-man motorcade , each member seamless working together to scout out ahead of me , assess the threat level and provide an unblinking eye toward any dangers I might have faced . It ’ s the same comprehensive security they ’ d provide to a high-level public figure or CEO , and it was being utilized in protecting a guy whose biggest threat is a deadline .
Since a large part of security is projecting strength , my security detail was anything but subtle during our day . Whether I was crossing the street or visiting the restroom , the team drew curious looks as they shuffled me from one place to the next . I ’ m sure a few people wondered who I was to justify so much security . To be honest , I wondered the same thing .
My team and I wrapped up our day with a photo shoot to commemorate them safely delivering me to my destination . In a career filled with unforgettable moments , I have to admit this was one of the biggest . To read more about Savannah , Georgia executive protection head to page 133 .
MANY THANKS & KEEP READING MICHAEL BROOKS / CREATOR
20 SOUTH Summer 2022 PHOTO by D . PAUL GRAHAM