TexasCHLforum.com

The management company of the office building I work at sent the following email this morning:

Some content has been edited
This is to inform you of the incident that happened at **** ****** Building on 8/04/05 at about 8.20 p.m., in which the security guard was apparently attacked and robbed of some of her valuables. This happened in the grounds near the main entry to the building whilst she was heading towards the garage where a black person, about 5' 9", weighing approx. 150 to 160 lbs, aged 30-40, wearing black trousers, attacked her from behind and robbed of her valuables. Fortunately she was not hurt but she was visibly shaken.

(I guess the following is supposed to make us feel safer)

The police were informed and they arrived promptly at the building.
According to the officer, it appeared a rather unusual occurrence at an office building and he felt that this type of incident is more likely to happen at apartment complexes. He was however going to be extra vigilant for the next few days. We also met with the chief supervisor of the security company this evening who has substituted an officer immediately today for the safety of the tenants in the building. They will explore possible options tomorrow with management.
------------ End --------------------

Can anyone tell me how security guards that can't even protect themselves are supposed to protect us?

Thank God we have a "No Weapons Policy" here, otherwise I'd be worried.

They only get bolder and bolder when it appears they have found an area of opportunity...Easy pickings...

At this point, (IMO) their policy is null and void...

Carry my friend...You know the odds...

Most security guards are useless. Sorry, can't help it. It is a fact.

I can't say as I blame them. Most are unarmed, and the BG's are armed. Self preservation is the obvious result. After all, the courts have determined LEO is not obligated to protect. (No offense, guys!)

We are all responsible for our own safety. WHen something happens to us, and I am speaking of the members of this forum and everyone we know, and we are in a position where we have been denied our right of self defense, we must raise such a fuss that those responsible must take notice! The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Unfortunately our company was purchased by a nationwide company and there is now no way that they would ever do away with the current policy.

We have new fencing/gates, security cameras (sounds like right where she was attacked) and they have doubled up on the security guards, but it will never be enough. I really don't expect that if the a problem arises these guys/gals would do anything but tuck tail and run, and I couldn't blame them seeing how they probably make $6-$7/hr and their lives are more valuable than that.

<disclaimer>I'm NOT telling you to carry at a prohibited place.</disclaimer>


BUT - get a smart carry and carry deep cover at a prohibited place. You're all thinking it, and a few said it.

Our security guard was chased up a tree by a pair of pit bulls on the lam. Security doesn't even carry pepper spray.

Primarily they're there to protect the building, not your safety.

It's a travesty really.

two of us rolled up at a business for an alarm call. we pulled up next to the security guard thinking he may have already checked it out. nope, he was out cold. we walked around the building, checked all the doors and as we left, we both slammed our doors extra hard. he woke up to see two squad cars driving off never knowing about the alarm at the business he was hired to "guard."

and that's not the first time that's happened. most of the time, security guards are provided at bigger buildings to do a few things. one is to make it more appealing for companies wishing to lease space. the other is to limit their liability should someone get raped or robbed. companies have an obligation to protect their patrons. it's like apartment complexes, if a bulb goes out from the side of a building and a tenant got raped or robbed in the darkness, they could be sued.

Actually a guards job is two fold. To prevent loss and crime by being a visible deterrent. Obviously an unarmed guard is not likely to prevent much crime.

The second role is to observe and report, or to be the eyes and ears of the client. Guards have no more legal authority than a private citizen. They are not, and should not be though of as, private police.

Gun-Free Zones are Crime-Spree Zones.


Arock

txinvestigator wrote:Actually a guards job is two fold. To prevent loss and crime by being a visible deterrent. Obviously an unarmed guard is not likely to prevent much crime.

The second role is to observe and report, or to be the eyes and ears of the client. Guards have no more legal authority than a private citizen. They are not, and should not be though of as, private police.

TI hit it right on the head. Unfortunately I am in security. It sucks. Our main job is to observe and report. At my company, we are more access control than anything. Our other job is to be visible, although noone is sure what purpose it serves. We do get paid fairly well, as far as industry standard, with my company and we receive the same bennies as any other company employee.

We are not armed. Frankly I would be scared if most on our staff were. There are some real nut jobs working in security. Common sense does NOT run rampant through security. It is an easy job. Walk in the door, clock in, turn your brain off, and you will do fine.

Anyone hiring?