You already know that the purpose of security patrol services is to deter crime and to protect people and property. Security guards patrol assigned areas in vehicles, on foot, and even on bicycles to accomplish these goals but have you ever wondered, “What exactly do security guards do?”
Security guards may seem like they are just standing or walking around watching nothing in particular but don’t let that calm exterior fool you. People who devote themselves to professions that involve protecting the public have a sort of “sixth sense,” an unidentifiable knack for knowing when something doesn’t feel or look right. Private security guards receive training that is very similar to police officers and one thing that they all have in common is the ability to notice, identify, and eliminate or neutralize a potentially threatening situation.
Let’s take a look at some of the specific things that security patrols watch for on duty.
- Entrances and exits –during business hours, security personnel may check the identification of entrants for controlled-access locations. At night or after business hours, entrances, garage door bays, and sliding glass doors all need to be monitored to protect against intruders.
- Unusual or threatening behavior –much like a poker “tell,” a would-be criminal might alert a guard to the fact that he is about to commit a crime by being nervous, hostile, or secretive. Customers or others who become agitated or aggressive for little or no reason might be getting ready to commit an assault.
- Things that are out of place – can include people loitering around closed businesses, vehicles parked in dark or atypical places, and the presence of strange objects that might coincide with a bomb threat or cause a safety hazard.
- Emergencies – security guards take action during medical emergencies and help guide members of the public to safety in the event of a fire, earthquake, or other sudden crisis.
The California Safety Agency provides professionally trained security patrol services for businesses, apartment complexes, and gated communities in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties. Contact us today to learn what we can do to protect your property or business.