Standoff distance

Standoff distance is a security measure that focuses on preventing unscreened people and vehicles from approaching within a certain distance of a building, car, or other shelter where a violent criminal is sheltered, hostages are under armed threat from kidnappers, where a bomb is believed to have been placed, or where other unspecified dangers may be lurking. It is a measure of distance informally used by agents handling the situation to protect their own persons from physical injury or death while the situation is resolved.