The History of Private Security

History of Private Security Private security has been around for centuries. Long ago, in Ancient Egypt, pharaohs hired private security guards for personal protection. Ancient Romans as well as emperors during the time of the Byzantine Empire hired private security guards, too, to protect their families and property. Wealthy warlords in many countries, including China and Italy, were known to hire security personnel to guard their bases. Oftentimes, military soldiers would be employed as personal security guards during times of peace.

During the 1700s, as more and more people moved to cities, the crowded streets and neighborhoods were filled with poverty, crime and violence. Therefore, the need for security increased to the point where tax revenues were used to pay security guards to patrol city streets every night of the year, on the lookout for anything suspicious.

The Industrial Revolution brought with it a huge increase in crime, which lead to the formation of private security guard agencies. These agencies, such as the Pinkerton Agency in the 1850s, helped guard the railroads and banks in prosperous places.

Did you know Henry Ford hired his own security force for his Ford factory in its early days? Indeed, many industries started to hire private security to protect their factories during The Great Depression and World War II. Later on, the need to protect American industries from Cold War espionage continued to fuel the need for private security guards and forces.

When New York City was attacked by terrorists in 2001, many people felt unsafe for months, if not years, afterward. The nation was definitely “on edge” for some time, and more and more security guards appeared in places like hotels, malls, schools and public gathering spots.

Today we live in a world where there seems to be a constant threat to people’s security with ISIS and other nefarious entities plotting to cause innocent people harm. Now– more than ever it seems– personal security guards are needed.

C.O.P. Security Inc. is a private security company supplying businesses and events with monitoring and security services. Call 585-750-5608 or email rbarton@copsecuritycorp.com for details on how C.O.P. can protect your people and property.

A Quality Security Guard Can Make a Major Difference

Security GuardsThe attributes of a good security guard coincide well with what we think of as an upstanding, reliable person in general. These days, those types of people are getting harder and harder to find, but thankfully there are still some folks who care about things like respect, integrity and professionalism.

To be a good security guard involves a number of attributes, including the ability to communicate well with others and persuading people to do something without having to touch (force) them to do so. Also, guards need to be ready to engage in multiple tasks, as the job requires versatility.

Being on time is important. If a guard isn’t on time, all sorts of things could go wrong. A good guard is flexible enough to work in a variety of environments acting as needed. Sometimes the guard stands post, while other times the guard is on patrol, moving about…and the guard can be put in the position of supervisor of an area, dressed in a uniform, looking confident and professional to give people nearby peace-of-mind and a sense of security.

A good security guard needs to be able to notice changes in their environment, keeping an eye on the comings-and-goings of people and items around them. At times, a guard may need to de-escalate a tense situation, give or take orders, and/or act as a visual deterrent to criminals without having to resort to weapons. Writing accurate and professional reports of incidents is an important part of the job.

Security guards are not police. Therefore, there are times when they must call for police to intervene in a situation, and their training should supply them with the knowledge of when that’s appropriate and when it’s not.

Finally, as with all professions, honesty is the best policy. A good security guard is always honest.

C.O.P. Security Inc. believes in hiring, training and promoting the best security guards available. If you’re interested in working for C.O.P. or you’d like to know more about C.O.P.’s services, please call 585-750-5608 today.

How Branded Control Cars Can Deter Incidents From Arising

Security GuardsIf criminals know someone’s watching, they’re apt to go somewhere else, right? Criminals, for the most part, will avoid well-lit, watched and patrolled areas.

C.O.P. Security offers branded vehicle patrol cars which help deter incidents from arising. Wouldn’t your organization, complex, and/or business benefit from having a branded vehicle patrol car or two driving around the parking lot or property, especially at night? Patrol cars not only give customers and employees a sense of safety, but they also show the world your area/facility is guarded. Regular patrols by clearly marked cars with security guards inside help deter crime. Just like kids aren’t apt to do wrong when mom or dad is watching, most people are more likely to behave if they know someone in authority is watching them.

C.O.P. Security vehicles are able to provide fast and effective support in the case of emergency situations. Furthermore, because they’re clearly marked, customers and/or employees know they can approach them for help, if needed. It’s reassuring to know there’s someone trustworthy inside the branded vehicle patrol car willing to listen and respond accordingly should the need arise.

It’s better to be proactive about security than to be reactive. It’s better to have someone watching over a place than not. And in the world of big parking lots and expansive buildings, it’s smart to have up-to-date, branded patrol vehicles and security guards present– especially in the times we live in when so many people are on edge. Safety and security are of utmost importance right now.

Call C.O.P. Security at 585-750-5608 to discuss your security needs today.

How Security Guards Could Benefit Bar Owners

Bar OwnersBar owners have many responsibilities. Because bars provide alcohol to patrons, who sometimes have “a little too much” and get not only tipsy but also angry, bar owners can benefit greatly from hiring security guards.

Think about it this way: bars are prone to brawling. Men (and sometimes ladies) get into fights at bars. Does the bartender have to break them up? Do the waitresses? Ideally, a security guard or two should be the person to notice those who might fight and diffuse the situation before it escalates into a full-blown fight. Furthermore, security guards can ask angry drunks to leave the premises or “take it outside” so the rest of the bar patrons stay safe from harm. The main function of a security guard at a bar is to be an extra set of eyes and ears for management, taking notice of people who are prone to violence or going to otherwise cause problems for the rest of the people there.

Other practical ways security guards can help bar owners include crowd control and checking IDs to make sure people who aren’t of legal drinking age are not drinking alcohol while on the premises.

Did you know the hospitality industry minimum standard for guards to guests is 1:50 or 1:75? That means bars should ideally have one guard for every 50 to 75 guests.

C.O.P. Security Inc. can supply your bar with security guards in the Rochester, NY area. Adding security helps stop theft, conflicts, and vandalism. The presence of security guards at bars help make guests feel welcome and at ease.

Why Being a Security Guard is a Gratifying Job

Security GuardsHave you ever considered being a security guard? It’s the kind of job where being present gets you paid. You’re not required to be an actual police officer/detective and you don’t make arrests. Instead, your presence matters to a company or organization because it gets them a decrease in their insurance costs and shows others that they care about security.

Being a security guard is almost always an enjoyable job because it involves maintaining the security of people, buildings and their contents. There’s both structure and variety involved, whereas guards might find themselves personally patrolling a given area, managing door control at entertainment venues, or traveling with valuable goods in a vehicle to make sure they arrive at their destination as planned.

If you’re the type of person people consider to be quick-thinking and able to deal with situations as they arise, you should consider a career in security. Guards work in all sorts of environments performing many tasks such as signing people in, checking packages, giving directions, handling guard dogs, and monitoring activities either in-person or via closed circuit television.

In the process of doing their job, security guards might find themselves working on their own for long periods of time and/or working with other fellow guards, depending on what the situation calls for.

Guards generally need to have a reasonable level of physical fitness and strength, the ability and confidence to confront people who are being difficult, and an overall trustworthy character. Security guards work with all sorts of people, so it’s best that they’re non-judgmental and can stay positive even during stressful situations.

Why Security Guards Are a Prudent Investment for Big Businesses

Security GuardsBig businesses should hire C.O.P. Security’s experienced and skilled corporate security forces to maintain orderly operations and convey a distinctive corporate image that communicates, “We take security seriously.”

Corporate security officers fulfill several roles while on-duty, making sure clients, coworkers, employees and customers are able to work in peace while the company’s assets are protected. Security guards act as a great deterrent to crime. They also instill a sense of security when they’re around people, bringing peace of mind that someone’s there to keep the peace should anything out of the ordinary occur.

Security guards are trained to look for suspicious activity and they’re not afraid to approach mischief makers and question their motives. While camera surveillance systems are good, nothing beats a living, breathing human being on the ground, ready to confront a person who is up to no good while on the premises of your business.

Finally, corporate security forces can take care of things such as checking visitors’ credentials, checking them for contraband, and restricting access to certain areas. While on-duty, they also serve as customer service ambassadors, interacting with customers, clients and others, directing them to the place(s) they want to go, and, if needed, escorting them there as well.

C.O.P. Security can provide your big business with guards who are trained to handle disputes, disruptions, crimes and emergency situations, as well as day-to-day activities. Placed at strategic access points, security guards play an important role in day-to-day operations of any business or organization placing a strong emphasis on safety in the workplace and at work-related events.

 

Security Guards Ensure Safety At Major Events

Security GuardSometimes it seems that security guards get a bad rep, either on the silver screen or on the TV. It’s as if when someone thinks of security guards, they immediately conjure an image of someone sluggish, someone sitting in a little telephone booth and doing a crossword puzzle, nonchalantly letting people go by.

Basically, a vast majority of us confuse security guards with mall cops (and we’re by no means demeaning mall cops here) and that’s a grave mistake, because security guards are an essential and ultra-important part of making the world turn and ensuring special events and/or important public figures stay safe.

All you have to do is take a look at the news regarding the pope’s visit to the States, as reported by WPVI. They report, “Philadelphia is hiring help for the pope’s visit next month. A job fair began on Wednesday morning, with up to 100 temporary security jobs up for grabs. The company, U.S. Security Associates, is holding the job fair. Many of those in attendance are hoping a temporary job will lead to something permanent.”

Not only will these men and women provide protection for arguably one of the most important people on the planet in a historical event, they may also acquire permanent employment because of it. Those are the many pluses of the security industry; it helps ensure we can enjoy special, historical moments without worrying about our safety, or worrying about things spiraling out of control because of a few bad eggs.

The security guards, if hired, would primarily provide crowd control during the event and, if they do a good enough job, they may turn that into a full-time gig. Think of security as the glue that holds everything together; it holds the personal AND the historical together.

Contact COP Security Inc. to see how we can provide security for you!

The Importance of Security in Today’s World

Security GuardsWe live in a crazy world. Well, that might be a bit of an understatement; it’s crazier than a bunch of bats in the belfry. Flipping on the TV or checking your Facebook newsfeed, you are usually greeted by a harrowing news story that shakes your soul and gets you questioning everything all around you. One day there’s a movie theater shooting, the next day there’s outrage over the illegal killing of an animal across the ocean. There’s just no telling what you might see. For the moment, let’s focus on the killing of Cecil the lion by dentist Walter Palmer. No matter which side of the debate you fall on, the whole story demonstrates the importance of armed security guards.

According to Breitbart.com, Awr Hawkins writes, “As the anti-trophy hunting the backlash continues in the wake of Cecil the lion’s death, one of Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer’s homes has been vandalized and he has been forced to hire armed security for himself. During the last week, Palmer has been vilified internationally and has reportedly received death threats in addition to real property damage.”

Yes, the backlash has been intense and Walter Palmer fears for his life, so he has hired armed security guards. Did he do something illegal? Perhaps. Is he in the right? Who knows. As a security company, it is our responsibility to quell the storm before it explodes. Unarmed or armed security guards help to ease tension before it rips everything apart and that is a very important part of maintaining stability in society.

If you’re in the need for well-trained security guards, please contact C.O.P. Security today.

Why Businesses Should Have a Safety Buffer In Place

Security Check We’ve become a society where you can’t feel too comfortable leaving your doors unlocked all the time and letting anybody just wander through the doors and inside your building.

On the news you hear horror stories all the time about deranged people attacking others when they make their way into places like offices, schools, and government buildings. Oftentimes people with mental problems and/or drug problems can create problems in places where they should not be. Therefore, it’s a wise investment to hire C.O.P. Security Inc. to be the “eyes and ears” in your building with regards to who’s there and why.

C.O.P. Security Inc. offers reception service whereas a regular log of visitors to your building is kept and entry points are watched in order to maintain a safe environment. Having professional security officials at your building’s entrance points will make sure that your visitors are identified while also maintaining a professional, welcoming atmosphere.

In addition to the safety factor, C.O.P. Security officers can provide help and directions to new visitors. With a friendly demeanor, officers help put guests at ease while also giving people living and/or working in the building “peace of mind” that someone’s on watch, making sure the place is kept in order.

When you want to keep your building safe and have professional, trained security officers also greeting visitors, choose reception services from C.O.P. Security Inc.’s security experts. Call 585-750-5608 or email rbarton@copsecuritycorp.com today to ask about reception services.

Don’t Let the Actions of a Few Ruin Your Special Event

Security Guard Have you ever been to an event where a couple of guys and gals had too much to drink? Someone insults someone else and soon fists and furniture are flying and the entire night is ruined. Or what about a fancy dress party where one woman’s purse mysteriously disappears and everyone has to stop what they’re doing and try to figure out where the purse ended up– and accusations of “you stole it” are doled out much to the dismay of event organizers and guests alike? Whenever you gather a group of people together, even with the best intentions, problems can arise.

Indeed, the actions of a few can ruin a special event. That’s why it’s a smart idea to hire security specialists to watch over your event and deal with any people out to cause trouble.

C.O.P. Security Inc. has trained, professional security specialists available to work your special event to ensure that guests feel safe at all times and only the people who belong there are there.

Security specialists control the perimeter of the event, look after attendees, and keep a watchful eye open for any out-of-the-ordinary activity that could be problematic. Security for special events such as wedding receptions, block parties or dinner parties can be counted on to deal with theft, conflicts, vandals or any other disruptions. Security professionals are trained to be as discreet as possible so as not to draw too much attention to the scene.

Having security professionals from C.O.P. Security Inc. at your special event means having someone on hand who is specifically trained to resolve conflicts, notice problems before they start, and make guests feel safe and at ease.

To hire special event security specialists, call C.O.P. Security Inc. at 585-750-5608 or email rbarton@copsecuritycorp.com.