Should Schools Have More Security Guards?

Posted June 13, 2018 by barton_secure & filed under School Security.

Back in 2012, Adam Lanza killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Most of those people were young schoolchildren. Sadly, this was not/is not an isolated incident. Unfortunately, school shootings have become almost commonplace in America. More and more, one turns on the news only to hear about yet another school shooting where innocent lives have been taken by a rogue gunman. It’s a scary time to have kids in school.

Since our modern day society seems more violent than ever before, it only makes sense that schools should have more security guards.

The Benefits of Security Guards in Schools

Having security guards stationed in and around schools has many benefits. For starters, guards ultimately help to reduce incidences of violence. Especially if they’re armed, guards can deal with armed individuals who might threaten the safety of schoolchildren.

The presence of guards on school property helps reduce bullying and fighting. Short of having dads in schools to tell kids to “cut it out,” it’s imperative that some authority figures are there to “keep the peace” during the day. Guards can spot bad stuff happening and squash it before it gets out of hand. Their job is to lookout for the safety and well-being of everyone in school, from students to teachers and then some.

Guards at schools are able to increase the overall observation of students, such that they can inform parents of anything unusual or suspicious. Meanwhile, they’re right there, at school, if and when there are accidents, falls, or other safety incidents that need immediate attention.

It’s also a good thing to have more guards in schools because they provide guidance for both parents and strangers, while boosting security there, too. Rather than leaving teachers to deal with problems, guards help handle kids (and others) who need special attention and may or may not need to be arrested for their nefarious actions.

Finally, schools have a lot of entrances and exits and involve hundreds or more people coming and going daily while school is in session. Therefore, it’s important to have increased security checks on schoolchildren as well as “strangers” on the premises.

In the Rochester, NY region, C.O.P. Security offers dependable, professional security; please contact them at 585-750-5608 for more information.

How Security Guards Can Help Apartment Building Owners

Posted April 20, 2018 by barton_secure & filed under Security Guards.

Apartment building owners should consider hiring security guards to keep residents safe.

Apartment buildings often involve many tenants all living fairly close together. They tend to share a lot of common spaces, whether it’s their lobby, the hallways, or laundry rooms. Meanwhile, some apartment buildings include amenities like swimming pools or parking garages– all areas that should be watched over by someone who’s good at keeping the peace. When darkness falls and nighttime rolls around, that’s especially when people who are up to no good do their bad things– so that’s precisely when security guards are most needed.

Safety and security are paramount these days. Property managers need to realize that tenants expect to come home to their place and not be harassed or in fear of what they might find, such as shady dealings in the hallway or parking lot. And if there’s domestic violence, isn’t it good that a security guard is on patrol, hears those awful sounds of distress, and ultimately calls the cops to break up the fight? You can’t underestimate the importance of having eyes and ears patrolling the complex.

Having security guards on the premises of an apartment building can help deter loitering, criminal activity, and other problems.

There’s a difference between a camera watching a place and a human physically being there, watching it. A human security guard is a real-time responder, and that’s a good thing. Also, having one or more guards standing by or walking around shows that the building owners and managers are serious about safety and security. A watched and protected place is a good thing in a society where violence and criminal activity is rampant.

In a world that’s becoming increasingly automated and “digital,” one thing’s for sure: it still makes sense to have human security guards watching over a place.

COP Security can supply your Rochester, NY-area apartment building with one or more security guards as needed. Committed to providing reliable security, COP also serves other parts of Western New York, including Buffalo and Batavia. For more info about COP’s services and areas covered, please contact 585-750-5608.

What Power Do Security Guards Have?

Posted March 16, 2018 by barton_secure & filed under Security Guards.

What power or authority do security guards have? While their authority is not on par with police officers, they are able to enforce many similar things.

Take, for instance, rules at a private residence or a business. Whatever rules the owner has made are the rules a security guard can and should enforce– as long as the rules are legal. Some typical rules might include posted ones like “no shirt, no shoes, no service” or “no loitering.” Security guards need to be fair and consistent with the enforcement of rules.

Oftentimes, security guards ask people to “leave the premises,” especially if they’re causing a disturbance. This is a normal function of a guard, and one that’s perfectly acceptable. Once in a great while, if a person refuses, a guard might need to use reasonable force to remove someone from a certain area. If, for example, the person becomes violent, then it’s time for the guard to call the police and have them deal with that person. It’s not unusual for a security guard to call police to have them come arrest people who are doing something illegal.

What if someone is literally attempting to rob a place? Or they’ve shoplifted? Does a security guard have the power to arrest them? Not exactly, but they can detain them and perform what’s known as a “citizen’s arrest.” This sort of detainment/arrest can only be done if the guard has witnessed the crime or has reasonable suspicion that one occurred. Obviously the police have to be alerted within a reasonable period of time, so then they’ll deal with it. “Reasonable” means police should arrive within an hour– not something unusual like eight hours later.

Security guards serve an important role in the lives and businesses of many people in many places. From schools to mansions and churches to malls, security guards are everywhere, watching over people and doing the best to keep the peace. Furthermore, they help prevent theft, vandalism and crime in general. If you need security services, please contact C.O.P. Security of Rochester, NY, at 585-750-5608.

Why Teamwork Between Security Guards is Vital

Posted February 9, 2018 by barton_secure & filed under Security Guards.

Events often have many people gathered in multiple places, which can include tents, rooms, and fenced-in areas. Because events have a lot of people and take up a lot of space, it makes sense to have a team of security guards working them. Indeed, those guards need to work together as a team in order to do their job well. Think of it this way: TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More. There is no “I” in team– it’s a collaborative effort among several people.

Any successful business, organization, or event requires smart teamwork if it’s going to work well for all involved. Security guards working at the same event need to be in constant communication with one another so they know who is where, when, and why. That way, all the areas that need to be covered get covered, without any sections lacking security. Teamwork is paramount to event security in order to maximize the effectiveness of having security present. Walkie Talkies, Phones, and other communication devices definitely come in handy, especially if guards are spread out over an area. There should also be a supervisor who checks on all of his or her guards at various points during the event to make sure things are running smoothly.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “all on the same page.” With security guards, everyone needs to be on the same page so they all know who’s who, where they need to be at certain times, and what their tasks are to be completed. Supervisors and managers, in particular, need to communicate with guards to achieve the goal of a safe and secure event. There’s nothing worse than having an event where nobody talks to one another and nobody knows “what’s going on.” Someone has to be in charge! Leadership and teamwork make all the difference between a good or bad event.

Event security often involves protecting a client’s assets, as well as people and property. There are usually a lot of details involved, and no one person can do the job of keeping the entire event safe. To sum it up, it takes great teamwork!

If you need a reliable security team for your event in the Rochester, NY area, contact COP Security today.

Obtain These Answers Before Hiring a Security Guard

Posted January 10, 2018 by barton_secure & filed under Security Guards.

There are stories of homeowner associations and other groups hiring security guard company to patrol the grounds because they were worried about teenagers vandalizing their gazebo and playgrounds. Things didn’t go well when problems happened but the guard was nowhere to be found– what was he doing? Where was he? Why didn’t he check that area like he was supposed to? These groups quickly found out the guard wasn’t doing his job well, and they needed to hire a different, more effective “on the ball” company whom they could trust.

Should you ever be in the position of hiring a security guard from a security guard company like C.O.P., there are some very good questions you should ask before signing on the dotted line.

Things to Find Out About a Security Guard Service

First, ask if the company is licensed with New York State in the Department of State, Division of Licensing. If they are, that means their guards have had background criminal checks. It also means their guards are screened and documented during the recruiting process.

Next, ask what kind of training their guards have done. Have they been trained to handle situations that might arise on your property or at your event? Do they know how to use weapons? How are their people skills– have they been trained on how to interact with the public in a proper way? How much of their training has been classroom versus “in the field/on the job?”

Also, ask if the company monitors their guards. This is really important. Guards shouldn’t just be able to go rogue, doing what they want when they want, answering to no one. Guards should have some supervision and keep track of their whereabouts and daily duties. Does the security guard company employ GPS tracking in order to monitor guards on duty? Do they communicate via phone, computer, or other ways?

Another good question to ask is this: “How long have you been in business?” Obviously, it’s nice to work with companies that have been around a while, since they know the area and its people better than newbies do.

Finally, inquire whether or not the guards provided are armed or unarmed.

Want to ask C.O.P. Security these questions and more? Call 585-750-5608.

Tips for Avoiding Security Issues This Holiday Season

Posted December 5, 2017 by jbarton_secure & filed under Security Guards, Security Services.

With all the bad news on the TV and Internet daily, some people might just want to stay home permanently and become hermits. Can you blame them? If it’s not news of a truck running over people on the streets of New York City it’s yet another school shooting in small town America.

This holiday season, what are some ways you can avoid security issues?

First, consider Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and other social media accounts. Sure, these are “great,” but they also tell people all about you– who you are, where you are, what you’re doing, etc. Moreover, sometimes people who mean you harm can latch onto your information and use it against you. Case in point– if you post pictures of the new diamond necklace you bought, thieves will now know you have it and they might want to come get it. Or if you post that you’re away from home in some exotic locale, thieves might decide, “Hey, they’re gone. Now’s the perfect time to break into their house and rob them blind.” So, be careful about what you post online and when you post it.

Next, if and when you’re away from home, do what you can to monitor your place. There are ways to do this, from having a trusted neighbor check it, to asking security firms or law enforcement agencies to periodically check to make sure your place is secured. Some smartphone apps allow you to view your home even when you’re miles away.

Practically speaking, if you have expensive, valuable items at home or at work, lock them up. In the old days, people were more flashy– women would parade around in fur coats. Men loved driving their overpriced cars to the supermarket. These days, however, you can’t be too careful with what you’ve got– the less attention you draw to yourself, the safer you’ll be.

At holiday time you need to be very aware of your surroundings at all times. Have your key ready to open the car or house door rather than fumbling in a pocket or purse to find it. Install lights that go on at entryways so you don’t come home to total darkness outside your house. Put the number to the police in your phone so that it’s easily accessible should you need it. Avoid places where you feel all alone. When people do approach you asking you to buy things and such, tell them a firm “No thanks,” and briskly walk on rather than engaging them for a long period of time. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, in a parking lot for example, look toward another person nearby, wave them down as if you’re old friends, and walk over toward them– a good excuse to get out of a potentially bad situation, right?

Finally, anytime you feel unsafe and there’s a security guard around, go to him or her. Security guards are your allies.

The Role of a Security Supervisor

Posted November 2, 2017 by barton_secure & filed under Security Guards.

Security is employed to offer protection against theft, vandalism and, in some cases, people involved in violence or other dangerous behaviors. Security is often called to “keep the peace” at a place, whether it’s an office building, retail shop, or public event. When there are several security guards involved in working somewhere, they require a security supervisor– their boss.

Security supervisors may serve different functions, from purely administrative to actually walking the beat on patrol duty. They’re the person others report to with their questions and concerns. They’re the ultimate decision makers, too.

Generally, a security supervisor works their way up in the ranks, starting out as a security guard, police officer or military officer. They utilize their skills, experience and expertise over the years to rise up to the place of being in charge of a team of guards.

Because supervisors need to know more than guards, they may be called upon to learn everything they can about more advanced things like electronic monitoring systems. They may need more training and more certificates than the average guard, showing that they’ve studied and put into practice several aspects of the job. Besides having a valid driver’s license and no criminal record, security supervisors often hold bachelor degrees in certain subjects, such as electrical engineering or computer science.

Supervisors are often overseers. For instance, if guards have to transport accused people somewhere, the supervisor is in charge of that situation. Alternatively, if the guards work at a certain building, the supervisor may be in charge of making sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to safety plans. He or she may lead safety drills, for example.

A supervisor needs to be a good communicator, able to speak well, write well, and, of course, listen. As a manager, he or she uses critical thinking skills to observe what’s going on and then make the best response.

Security, in general, is a growing field. More and more security guards and supervisors are needed in the coming years. All you have to do is check your Facebook feed, online newspapers, or TV to see that the world is increasingly less safe and people feel the need for protection now more than ever.

If you’re in need of experienced security guards in the Rochester, NY area, contact C.O.P. Security today.

Common Duties of Security Guards

Posted October 12, 2017 by barton_secure & filed under Security Guards, Security Services.

Security guards often deal with uncertainty. They have to rely on their judgment to make good decisions. Safety is of utmost importance. Ideally, guards need to be decent communicators as they’ll be talking with people, listening to people, observing people and places, and writing reports about what they saw.

Security Guard Duties

What are some common duties of security guards? They’re typically doing surveillance, whereas they’re watching the comings-and-goings of people to-and-from certain places. Furthermore, they may be called to consistently interact with people, having them produce identification, fill out paperwork, and/or searching them for any weapons or other items not allowed in certain areas.

Security guards often go “on patrol,” which could mean they walk around a property checking to see if everything’s going well and as intended. Sometimes guards will use bikes, golf carts or cars to go on patrol, depending on the terrain and venue. While on patrol, guards often check surveillance equipment (such as cameras in the field), while also inspecting access points, buildings, and other things someone is paying them to pay attention to. Depending on the time of day and the venue, guards may interact with lots of people or none at all.

If and when they need to, a guard can “sound the alarm” to alert others that there’s trouble. They may be the one to “call for backup” or call the police. A guard is always looking for things out of the ordinary that may require more attention. Are there trespassers located in areas where they’re not allowed to be? Are certain people not following the rules and need to be talked to/ejected from the premises? Are policies and procedures being followed?

Security guards are often involved in loss prevention. In other words, they want to be the watchful eye over property so it doesn’t get stolen.

Typically, guards end up becoming de facto direction-givers, as people will ask them how to get to certain places. They are monitors of their environment, helping control the flow of people so that order is maintained.

COP Security Inc. out of Rochester, New York, employs security guards with a wide array of skills and techniques to cover areas and businesses as needed. From camera surveillance to foot patrols or vehicle patrols, COP Security can provide you with the kind of security options you’re seeking; please call 585-750-5608 for more information.

Why Businesses Should Consider Unarmed Security Guards

Posted August 29, 2017 by barton_secure & filed under Unarmed Guards.

You own a business and want that business to thrive. You don’t want people stealing from or harming your business. Ideally, your business is a peaceful, calm place with a sense of order and security. Consider hiring an unarmed security guard from C.O.P. Security for your business.

To ensure the overall safety of your business, which includes physical property, employees, clients and visitors, it makes sense to hire an unarmed security guard. He or she is an affordable set of eyes who can watch over things for you. A guard can offer people directions so they know where to go (and where not to go) as well as serve as a “go-to” contact should any conflict or problem out of the ordinary arise.

Armed guards may cost more because they have to be licensed and trained to carry firearms. What happens if their gun accidentally goes off, for whatever reason, and hurts or kills someone at your business? Obviously, that’s not the ideal situation. Therefore, for most businesses, unarmed guards make the most sense.

If you have a business that’s in a “low-risk environment,” then unarmed guards’ skills and expertise will do well to help resolve occasional conflicts and keep your business safe. For instance, having an unarmed guard on duty helps deter theft and vandalism. People “up to no good” would rather go somewhere that’s not being watched! A kid with a spray can will think twice before tagging a building that has a uniformed security guard patrolling the grounds.

Furthermore, having a guard on the premises of your business acts as a sign that you care about the safety and well-being of everybody on the property. Having the guard interact with people provides a sense of calm and peace that puts them at ease. It’s reassuring knowing that someone is watching over the room, building or property– they’re there “if they’re needed.” Guards can also help with crowd control.

C.O.P. Security can provide businesses in Western New York (including Buffalo, Batavia, and Rochester) with unarmed security guards as needed. Please call 585-750-5608 or email rbarton@copsecuritycorp.com for details.

How to Become a Better Security Guard

Posted August 18, 2017 by barton_secure & filed under Security Guards.

How can a person working as a security guard become better at his or her job? Well, like most jobs, continuous learning is ideal. If there are workshops to attend, new information/methods to learn, and/or certificates to obtain you might as well get all the knowledge you can. A well-informed, well-educated security guard will be more valuable to any company he or she chooses to work for, and others will appreciate the acquired knowledge of a smart and perceptive guard.

Skills to Improve Upon

People skills can always be improved. A lot of the job involves communication skills– how you interact with other people will help determine how effective you are at the job as well as how people respond to you and your commands. There are ways to tell a person what to do whereas they’ll comply, while there are other ways where they’ll just blow you off. The more you can practice looking and sounding authoritative (with some compassion and empathy as needed) then the better you’ll be as a security guard. The job involves knowing when to “take charge” and lead people as well as when to just observe and record what happens around you.

The more aware a person is of their community the better a security guard they’ll be. Take, for example, someone asked to guard a famous person in the community. If they know who this person is and who their friends are, that’s a good thing. The worst mistake a guard can make is telling a beloved family member they can’t “go in there” to see the person they’re guarding simply because they don’t know the ins-and-outs of “who’s who” in a person’s inner circle and such. Also, knowing the “news” of an area can help with planning, logistics, routes to take, etc.

When a guard has access to a solid mentor that’s a real win-win situation. A mentor is someone who can offer guidance, advice, and act as a sounding board. Furthermore, a mentor can give constructive criticism in order to help the mentee become better over time.

Security guards should be relatively fit and able to perform the physical aspects of the job. Work on your body to make sure you’re prepared for all situations.

Finally, a security guard should be open to change– flexible enough to adjust their routine as needed. Being open-minded and avoiding the mistake of making assumptions helps a lot in the long run.