Opinion: Is Security The Price Of Public Life?

Everything going on lately has got me thinking about the locks at the radio station.

When I Started In Radio, It Was Easy To Be Anonymous

Back when I started in radio, unless I was wearing a station shirt somewhere, chances were pretty good that I could go anywhere and be anonymous. It wasn't always the case, but I'd be willing to wager an 80% chance of nobody knowing who I was.

There were also huge measures in place to protect the djs at all costs.

Then came the internet.

Work Became A Lot More Social And A Lot Less Anonymous

All of a sudden, Tom and Mark showed us that pictures were everything. Before you could say "I friended you on FB" everything became ALL about pictures, pictures, pictures. Trust me when I say that makes 80% of us quite uncomfortable, but in order to survive in the business, we had to change and be more vulnerable.

Being More Social Means We Need More Security

Everything leads to the locked doors at the station.

For the last couple of years, after Townsquare bought us, the jocks (djs) have been even more social.

• Our pictures (faces) are everywhere (and trust me when I say that they say it's not enough)
• Our voices are everywhere. There are so few jocks left that you can catch us on, AT LEAST, 2 radio stations a day
• Our location is public knowledge, so you can come see us any time. That means if we write/say something someone don't like, it's pretty easy for that person to find us and let us know just how much we suck, in person

How The Locked Doors Came To Be At Central Montana Radio Network

I usually let someone know I when I'm leaving. I walked all over the entire radio station and there wasn't one single soul but me in the whole place.

Anyone could have come in and robbed Max and 560 KMON blind and I probably wouldn't have heard one single thing. They also could have done something to me.

(For perspective, I use the control room for The River as my office, and it's way in the back. When you're on the air, your door to your studio is closed most of the time so there aren't odd noises when recording shows or commercials.)

Luckily, I have a boss that gave us security. It sucks because radio stations used to be such fun and joyful places, but I also feel 2,000 times safer.

Why Am I Being So Extra About This Security Thing?

Besides being punched in the face with it every day on the news, you mean?

I have been stalked seriously enough for police involvement twice in my career.

One guy literally slept in his car for 3 days outside of my apartment and the police could do nothing. Right before that 3 day stint outside my place, he pulled up to me going home from work with a machete on his passenger seat and asked me if I wanted a ride. This is after he literally called me 5-10 times a night.

There are people in Great Falls That just HATE ME. I mean hate me hate me. One guy has tried to get me fired my last 3 jobs and calls me Tokyo Rose. I honestly believe what people think about me is none of my business, but I've been a bit on guard since the machete incident. That never goes away.

I am not original in this. For every one person that likes you, there is another that despises you equally as much. If any jock or tv person tells you different, they have a personality disorder. Believe me, there's a lot of that in broadcasting.

Maybe It's Time For Extra Security

Trump speaks behind bulletproof glass. It doesn't make him weak, it's actually smart.

If anyone in any party has any kind of speaking engagement, (there's nothing we can do for those politicians that are hunted and killed at home) maybe the bulletproof glass becomes part of the package.

What are your thoughts on this? I'd really like to hear it. Hit us up on your app