security guards

[ohioguy]

They do help to deter crime, but are they really worth it? At smaller businesses, they can be an unecessary expense.

[cesc]

It depends...but I recommend security at all times..you never know what can happen...it's like insurance...

[Calypso]

I would have to say it depends on the security guard.

I used to work at an inner city trauma center. People referred to us as the "knife and gun club" and they weren't too far off. Naturally, we had 24/7 security in the ER as well as around the rest of the hospital.

The good security guards were the ones who knew how to talk to people and calm them down if a situation was escalating. Their very presence was soothing, and they always used physical force as a last--not a first--resort.

Then there were the ones that liked to play rough, that would much rather tackle a guy than talk to him, that would yell and get up in people's faces and then wonder why they got hit or pushed or spit at.

The good security guards helped keep us safe. The bad ones actually increased our risk. That's my two cents, anyway...

[vicki2]

I've seen that in some situations too. In NYC, the ERs all have security and the good ones work people through stuff. There's more trouble with the ones who like to shove around their power.

[Calypso]

You're right, vicki2. And in hospitals, especially emergency rooms, emotions run very high. A good security guard needs to be able to tell the difference between someone who is just letting of steam and someone who is escalating to violence.

Unfortunately, too many security guards just don't receive good training in that area...

[vicki2]

Is it the training or is it the lack of requirements on the job description?

[SageMother]

Originally Posted by Calypso

You're right, vicki2. And in hospitals, especially emergency rooms, emotions run very high. A good security guard needs to be able to tell the difference between someone who is just letting of steam and someone who is escalating to violence.

Unfortunately, too many security guards just don't receive good training in that area...

If they haven't had good training in that area, they at least make someone think twice, sometimes.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure it is a lack of training as much as it is a desire to assert their authority over others, that causes the most trouble.

[Calypso]

Like cops, some people become security guards for the best reasons--because they want to help and protect others--and some become security guards for the worst reasons--because they like throwing their weight around and having people suck up to them. Luckily, the head of security who did the hiring and firing fell firmly into the former category, and he had no patience with officers who fell into the latter category. He told his officers upfront that if they got involved in too many physical scuffles, then they obviously weren't doing their jobs correctly.

[InterwatchSecuritydotcom]

This is a good question but some business can not do with guards. Warehouses, large shops and companies which have stock need this protection. I used to work for a large IT distribution company and many years ago they employed a team of guards but recently they don't employ anybody, they only close CCTV

[iStorm]

There was a time when you would of said that security guards where needed on every site! Then remote Cctv monitoring put the security guards into early redundency!! However, Now if you speak to any reputable cctv installer, Cctv will be nothing with out security guards, the tables have turned, if you are monitoring lets say an industrial estate, there are some kids trying doors on the estate, who do you call? The Police? What do you think the responce time would be......?

Im intirested to know what do you think the police responce time would be to a visual verification by cctv?