Thursday, March 28, 2024

Williams Public Safety Solutions — Providing Guidance and Preparedness in Times of Crisis

(Courtesy of Scott Sheild Williams)

REGIONAL — Longtime law enforcement officer Scott Sheild Williams took his situational awareness and crisis management consulting skills to the next level and recently established Williams Public Safety Solutions.

The company provides training and safety solutions for businesses, communities, government, and individual clients.

Scott Sheild Williams retired as a lieutenant with Newport News Police Department in 2016 after 24 years' service.
Scott Sheild Williams retired as a lieutenant with Newport News Police Department in 2016 after 24 years’ service. (Photo courtesy of Scott Sheild Williams.)

Williams retired as a lieutenant from Newport News Police Department in 2016 after 24 years’ service. He then worked as public safety director and chief of police at Hampden-Sydney College before returning home to Yorktown to assist in the healthcare of his late father, Press Williams, who was retired from the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office. It was during this time that the younger Williams found his niche as a private contractor and made the decision to expand his services.

His newly-formed company offers crisis management, media-relations consulting, research and intelligence gathering, as well as situational awareness training and certification. We’re here to assist in providing safe environments, whether it’s a business, school, or government agency,” said Williams.

Williams was instrumental in creating “Coffee with a Cop” during his time with Newport News Police Department. His love for coffee and conversation continues to serve as a springboard with community connections.

Photo courtesy of Scott Sheild Williams

He met Narielle Living, senior advisor and instructor for Williams Public Safety Solutions, at a local Starbucks a few years ago while Williams was running for sheriff against Sheriff Danny Diggs in the 2019 election. A few hours and cups of coffee later, Living was working with Williams on his campaign.

Though he didn’t win the election, he gained a “partner in anti-crime.” Living brings her own unique skillset to the team. An author and founder of Blue Fortune Enterprises publishing group, she also works as an editor in Williamsburg. Living’s work background includes time as a healing arts educator.

Narielle Living, senior advisor and instructor for Williams Public Safety Solutions
Narielle Living, senior advisor and instructor for Williams Public Safety Solutions. (Photo courtesy of Narielle Living.)

Living strongly believes in community volunteerism. She lends her free time to outreach with her church, domestic violence shelters and search-and-rescue teams, just to name a few. “It’s important that we, as a community, remember that all of our actions touch our neighbors. I believe our goal is to help others, whether it’s through lending a hand, providing food to the hungry or teaching people how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe,” said Living.

Locally, Williams Public Safety Solutions recently lent their crisis-management services to an 18-year-old male who was wrongfully accused of a crime. “The law enforcement agency who contacted the young man wouldn’t tell him what crime he was being accused of or if he was a suspect or a witness, but requested that he come to the police station to talk to a detective,” said Williams.

Williams guided the anxiety-ridden young man on his next steps and advised him to request a conversation with authorities at his home. “They agreed and the police came to the house, alleviating a lot of stress and anxiety from the situation. This is the age of transparency and a lot of people don’t know their rights. I’m here to assist with that,” said Williams. Williams was happy to report the young man moved on from the stressful event and recently started a new job.

Last April, Williams worked with Spectrum News 1 in Elizabeth City, N.C., after an officer-related shooting that gained national attention. “The station realized it was a highly volatile situation, and they needed someone with a law enforcement background to guide them through the process of covering the incident. We served as security and advised the station as to what was going on a step-by-step basis from a law enforcement point of view, said Williams. Williams has also assisted MSNBC and NBC with security detail.

Currently, the team is gearing up to host back-to-school safety programs. “The sessions are free of charge and will provide safety information to parents before their children return to school in the fall,” said Williams. A back-to-campus safety program will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 5, at Edgehill Clubhouse in York County. The event is free and pizza will be provided. Registration is required.

Williams Public Safety Solutions will also be conducting a situational awareness course from 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 7, with the location to be announced. This course is designed to provoke awareness from internal and external perspectives. The topics of the program include decision making and judgement, social competence, adaptability, emotional regulation, stress tolerance, as well as conscientiousness.

To contact Williams Public Safety Solutions, please call (757) 708-1418, or email Vafopvp345@yahoo.com.

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