Baltimore Security serves as DOI’s alert public face at many locations. They are highly skilled at managing crowds and addressing emergencies.
Security guards patrol the property, monitor entrances and exits, deter crime by their visible presence, collaborate with law enforcement during incidents, write reports, and provide customer service. They safeguard businesses, schools, banks, and other vital establishments.
Security guards serve a vital role in deterring crime inside and outside the premises they protect. They are trained to observe suspicious activity and to respond quickly when they see it. Their presence alone is a deterrent to criminals, especially in areas where crime is most likely to occur. They are also skilled at preventing property damage from vagrants, trespassers, and other unwelcome guests. This can save businesses from expensive repairs and the time and expense of cleaning up after vandalism.
For example, at subway stations that are known for having high rates of crime, security personnel can patrol the area frequently to identify potential issues and respond to them immediately. They can prevent ticketless riders from boarding the train, detain trespassers until police arrive and help passengers with any other security related issues. Security guards can also monitor surveillance cameras to detect any suspicious behavior and report it to the police.
In addition, security officers can collaborate with law enforcement to provide valuable intelligence about criminal activities that may otherwise go undetected. This is important because it can enable local police to better understand patterns of crime and take appropriate action.
Another way security guards can reduce crime is by partnering with community members to foster positive relationships and create a safe environment for everyone. This may include implementing neighborhood watch programs, providing on-site security for events, and serving as a liaison with local authorities. Residential guards often perform this role in apartment complexes and communities, while commercial security personnel work with local offices to manage access control, function as on-site liaisons for emergency services and ensure that all security best practices are followed.
Security guards can also help businesses reduce the top three property crimes of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. These can have significant financial and emotional impacts on victims, and a skilled security guard can use their knowledge and training to mitigate these incidents. They can also provide detailed and thorough documentation of all criminal activities to law enforcement, helping them identify trends and patterns that can lead to greater security risks in the future.
Responding to Emergency Situations
Security guards must be prepared to react quickly and effectively in unforeseen situations. Trained in crisis management, they know how to handle emergency scenarios ranging from medical emergencies to security breaches. Their ability to detect a problem, secure the area, and communicate with other professionals and emergency services is critical in minimizing damage and saving lives.
When a threat is detected, security guards are trained to follow established protocols. This includes assessing the situation, determining the nature and severity of the issue and taking immediate action if necessary. This may include securing the scene, evacuating individuals in a safe manner and assisting with crowd control.
Guards can also help prevent potential incidents from escalating by acting as a visible deterrent to criminal activity. They are also able to detain suspects and provide information to law enforcement when necessary.
In addition to their response training, security guards are often trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This allows them to provide initial assistance and potentially save lives until professional medical personnel arrive on-site. They can assist with assessing wounds, applying bandages and dressings as well as using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) if required.
Fire emergencies are one of the most common types of emergency situations that security guards deal with on a daily basis. They have been trained to respond to fire situations by ensuring early detection, assisting with evacuations and maintaining crowd control. Additionally, they are trained to understand the different types of fires and how to use various fire extinguishers if needed.
Regardless of the type of emergency, security guards must always act according to their clients’ emergency response protocol. This involves assessing the incident, determining what actions need to be taken, and notifying authorities and emergency services. It also includes providing real-time updates and communicating with people in the affected area to keep them calm.
During emergency situations, security guards must also be able to relay information clearly and accurately through two-way radios or phones. This ensures that the appropriate emergency response teams are dispatched without delay, minimizing any additional damage or injuries. Furthermore, they are responsible for documenting the incident to be used in future security reviews and training.
Enforcing Rules and Regulations
Security guards are trained to observe suspicious behavior and act as a resource for fire or law enforcement authorities. They can be a vital part of the chain of communication during an emergency situation, and many business owners choose to have their guards serve as their point of contact for fire or police services. Security guards can also help ensure that the company’s policies are followed and prevent potential violations of workplace safety standards.
Security personnel can check credentials, enforce rules and regulations for private properties like apartment complexes, schools, construction sites, hospitals and event venues, and monitor security equipment and systems. They can also request ID for people entering the property and escort individuals off the premises if necessary. This is particularly important for high-profile businesses, such as hospitals, that have a specific set of rules and procedures for visitors and vendors.
While security guards are able to ask for identification and remove people from the property, they cannot make an arrest without consent or with a warrant. Generally, they can only perform a search (frisk) for weapons and other dangerous items on the property they are hired to protect, and they cannot detain someone for an unreasonable amount of time.
Guards are taught to use force in a proportional manner, and they are expected to try de-escalation techniques before resorting to physical force. However, it’s important for business owners to understand the limitations of their guards’ abilities so they can ensure that the company is protecting its assets and employees by adhering to state and federal laws.
Whether it’s shoplifters in a shopping mall or criminals trying to determine how to break into cars at an apartment complex, security guards are a visible presence that can deter crime and other unsafe activities. While the line between a friendly “hello” and a stern intervention is sometimes blurry, the role of security guards as a trusted resource for the public remains clear. For this reason, business owners, apartment complexes, event organisers and other companies benefit from the visibility of these uniformed watchdogs.
Providing Customer Service
When people think of security guards, they often envision burly professionals on the prowl for bad guys at a business or event. However, they also play a big role in providing customer service. Customers tend to base a large amount of their positive or negative feelings towards a business or brand on the quality of customer service that they receive from its security personnel. Companies that prioritize customer service in their security guards are able to foster better relationships with customers and create a more welcoming atmosphere.
In many cases, a security guard is the first person that a visitor or customer encounters at a location. This makes it crucial that they greet individuals in a friendly manner and provide them with helpful information, even if they are not specifically asked for it. Security guards must be able to answer questions about parking, entrances, and exits, and be willing to go above and beyond in order to help customers have the best experience possible.
While this may seem like an insignificant aspect of a security guard’s job, it can have a major impact on the customer’s experience. It is crucial that security guards are able to listen actively when approached by visitors, as this shows that they are engaged with them. It is also important that security guards can clearly and concisely explain any security protocols or policies in a way that is easy to understand.
Security guards may be tasked with defusing tense situations as well. This requires them to remain calm and practice de-escalation techniques in a professional manner, avoiding any verbal aggression or violence. In addition, they must be able to effectively communicate with other members of the security team or law enforcement if necessary.
Although it is not a large part of their job, security guards can also provide basic customer service by assisting guests with their belongings, helping them locate products or services, and offering recommendations to customers that they may find useful. These small acts of kindness can make a huge difference in the customer’s experience at your company or venue.