What comes to mind when you picture a security guard? Do you envision a Secret Service agent protecting the president? Do you picture an armed officer confronting a bank robber? The truth is, there are many types of security guards who work in a variety of settings. Your security guard company in Fort Myers, FL offers a full range of expertise to provide guards for many of these situations.
Following are a few of the most common types of security guards. If you need security at your setting, one of these professionals can provide the protection you need.
Unarmed
An unarmed security guard is the most common type of guard in a majority of settings. This guard offers onsite presence to protect the premises. They are often employed at places of business, job sites or on personal property to physically patrol the location. They may also monitor electrical security systems. This type of guard is ready to respond to any threats that occur onsite. They also act as a deterrent to criminals, who can see that security measures are in place.
Armed
For settings that require a higher level of security, armed guards are available. These professionals possess additional certification and training that allow them to carry a lethal weapon. The presence of an armed guard is often enough to deter criminal activity. If a violent situation does arise, these guards are equipped with the skill and tools to respond in an effective manner to protect your property and people.
Virtual
With the assistance of innovative technology, your security guard company in Fort Myers, FL can provide virtual guards for your site. This type of guard monitors a location remotely via cameras, sensors and other detection devices. The guard can be “onsite” 24/7 to ensure your building is always protected. You can enjoy the benefits of patrols and alarm activation without the presence of a physical guard. This provides great flexibility for your security solutions.
Corporate
Could your day-to-day business operations benefit from security personnel? Corporate security guards specialize in integrating security into a company’s daily activities. They perform standard security duties as well as work with employees and customers to handle any issues that arise. The corporate guard will defuse any situations before they become serious threats.
Warehouse
Guards who specialize in warehouse security are trained in access control. These professionals ensure the property and possessions remain protected by granting access to appropriate personnel only and by monitoring detection systems. They respond to alerts and remain vigilant to detect unauthorized entry to the warehouse.
Get Guarded
For what type of setting do you need additional security? A specialized guard from a security guard company in Fort Myers, FL is the ideal solution. State regulated and licensed, American Pride Security Services offers a variety of guard types to protect your setting. We lead the industry in the skills, pride and honor that our officers bring to the job. Contact us today to find out what security options we can offer for your location.
A home break-in or robbery can mess with your emotions and cause some level of financial and physical damage. You and your family may not feel safe for a long time afterward, which can leave everyone feeling stressed, anxious and even reluctant to leave the house at all. The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent a burglary or break-in from ever happening in the first place. Whether you are at work or away on vacation, proper planning is key in the fight against crime.
Install deadbolt locks: Take a minute to check the locks on your exterior doors. If your main front door is not fitted with a deadbolt lock, it’s time to change that. Deadbolts offer a good defense against home break-ins when kept locked. They are especially good at stopping doors from being kicked in, as these types of locks are stronger than the typical doorknob twist lock. They are also more time-consuming to pick.
Keep your plans off of social media: Thanks to social media, it’s super easy to share your travel plans with your friends and acquaintances. At the click of a button, everyone in your cyber life will know about your vacation, your daily schedule, what you are doing and when you’ll be out of town. Keep in mind that social media profiles not set to private can be viewed by anyone with access to the internet—including criminals looking for their next victim.
Set light timers: Here’s a tip homeowners can use in their daily lives or as a step in their pre-vacation preparation: set timers on lights and other systems. To make your house appear occupied, put timers on indoor light fixtures to turn on and off at the times you’d normally be home. Some homeowners also choose to install permanent timers on their front porch lights. This is helpful for when they’re away on vacation, or simply to have a lit path when returning home after work.
Take ID info with you: Sometimes after a home break-in, a criminal might decide to add insult to injury and commit identity fraud. For this reason, be sure to take passports, driver’s licenses and other forms of identification with you on vacation. You could put these items in a secure, stationary home safe for protection.
Hire private security: Another home security option rising in popularity is hiring a private security guard company to patrol your home or property. Because wrongdoers are more likely to hit easy targets, the mere presence of a security officer can deter criminals.
Whether you are looking for security guard services in Fort Myers, FL to patrol your gated community every day, to watch your business complex in the evenings or to provide extra security at your hotel during special events, you can count on the expertise of American Pride Security Services. Give us a call today to learn more!
Private parties rely on the expertise of professional security guard services to protect buildings, homes, property, and belongings from damage or theft, as well as to protect people from harm. For example, a gated community may hire a security officer to patrol their neighborhood watching for suspicious goings-on, an individual homeowner might hire security personnel to watch over their home while out of town for a week or a business park may require a presence to increase security in its parking lot during the evenings.
However, when it comes to the demand for commercial security service in Fort Myers, FL in 2019, hospitals and other medical establishments top the list. Here’s what you need to know about why hospitals are looking to increase security in the new year.
Hospitals can benefit from security services
Since the hospital is where you go if you are experiencing a medical emergency or issue, you shouldn’t have to worry about your safety while you’re there. Unfortunately, recent incident reports prove the need for more hospital security these days.
No untrained person should attempt to handle a potentially dangerous situation on their own. If you spend lengthy amounts of time at a hospital as an employee, patient or visitor, then you know the importance of having visible security guards and police officers on the premises. Because of an increase in threats and dangers at hospitals, it’s best to call for qualified security personnel to take the lead 24/7.
Inappropriate behavior such as violence and aggression or physical and verbal abuse toward anyone on hospital property should never be tolerated. To enforce this policy, hospitals are planning to hire more private security personnel in 2019. This means they’ll be screening to ensure the people they hire are properly trained and certified to protect everyone inside the hospital and on hospital grounds.
Why hospitals experience threats
There’s more than one way to get to a hospital. Some people voluntarily walk into emergency rooms, others come into the ER by way of an ambulance and some people are admitted to the hospital prior to surgery. People may be admitted to hospitals for a variety of reasons. While some come in with injuries from accidents or natural causes like a heart attack or going into labor, others are brought in as a result of physical harm resulting from domestic disputes or gang violence.
When it comes to physical violence, it’s common for would-be assailants to try to gain access to the person or people they’ve harmed. Once someone is admitted to the hospital, the hospital staff wants to keep the patient safe while they’re getting treatment. The right kind of security needs to be at the ready to protect these patients, as well as the hospital staff.
Other common situations that can threaten a hospital’s security include aggressive behavior from those under the influence of drugs or alcohol and potentially unstable behavior from mentally disturbed patients.
If you’re interested in having more information about security patrol service in Fort Myers, FL for hospitals, please feel free to call American Pride Security Services today!
Florida is one of the most densely populated states in the country. The picturesque beaches, mild temperatures, theme parks and retirement communities make Florida the perfect place for both visitors and residents alike. But all these people and places need to be protected. That’s where security guards come in. A security officer can provide around-the-clock security and protection, which helps deter crime and keep people and property safe. Their services are in demand now more than ever, with the ever-growing population.
Not just anyone can provide security guard services in Fort Myers, FL, though. All officers must go through intensive training to obtain a license to operate in the state. Let’s take a closer look at what it takes to obtain a security guard license in Florida.
Basic eligibility requirements
First, the aspiring security officer must meet a few basic requirements. Florida law requires all security guard applicants to be at least 18 years old and have the proper documentation to prove they’re eligible to work in the U.S. They must also have a relatively clean background history. An applicant won’t automatically be disqualified if they have a criminal history, but any felony convictions must have been resolved more than 10 years ago.
Training
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing—the department responsible for issuing licenses—requires all applicants to complete 40 hours of training through a licensed security officer school. The training is divided into two separate parts. The first training is about 24 hours, while the second is typically 16 hours. Students must complete a competency exam before they can receive a certificate of completion. The training needs to be completed within 180 days of applying. Former or retired police officers can waive the training requirements as long as they supply a copy of their law enforcement identification with their application.
Application
Once the training is completed, applicants will fill out a Class “D” Security Officer License application from the agriculture department’s website. The application will cover everything from work history to military service, criminal history and more. The state requires all applicants to provide a passport-style color photograph with their application. The photo needs to be less than three months old and depict the applicant with their current hairstyle. The name and date of the individual should be neatly printed on the back of the photo. The application also requires a copy of all 10 fingerprints.
The final step is to pay a $45 fee for the license and a $42 fee for the fingerprint card before the completed application is mailed in. Once the certification is approved, they can begin to apply for jobs with a security guard service in Fort Myers, FL.
Additional training
Having a security guard license is just the first step. Many security guard services in Fort Myers, FL—including American Pride Security Services—require their officers to undergo additional training to ensure they are up to date on current security measures.
Many of the experienced officers at American Pride Security Services are military veterans. Plus, each of our highly-trained officers also specializes in guest relations. Call us today to discuss how we can address your specific security needs!
Staying at a hotel is supposed to be a relaxing experience for guests. They’re focused on the day’s activities, where they will eat dinner and whether now is the best time to hit the pool. Whether the hotel and their belongings are secure should be the last thing on their mind.
Travelers and tourists expect to be safe when they check into a hotel for a vacation or business. That’s why securing the facility and protecting customers should be the top priority of hotel management. But this can be a big challenge, with hundreds or even thousands of people coming in and out of the hotel every day. Hotels need the help of a commercial security service in Fort Myers, FL. Security guards are trained to constantly maintain a high level of safety while also emphasizing the value of great customer service. Having a security guard on the property will deter guests and others from engaging in any criminal behavior.
Not convinced yet? Here are five reasons why your hotel needs to hire a security patrol service in Fort Myers, FL:
Sense of security: Just having a guard on the property can bring guests a sense of security. They’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing the management is concerned about their wellbeing and is willing to take the necessary steps to keep both them and their belongings safe.
Prevention: A security guard is the perfect deterrent to crime. Aspiring misbehavers and criminals will think twice before engaging in any questionable activities after they spot a uniformed security guard.
Avoid disruptions: Guards are trained to recognize a security breach and react immediately to prevent loss and ensure guest safety—all without making a scene. This is especially important in a resort or hotel setting, where relaxation and fun are an important part of the guest experience. The security officer will take care of any issues quickly and discreetly, so guests will not notice anything.
Protect the building itself: The hotel itself is the biggest asset in the hospitality industry. A major loss to the building could cause the company thousands of dollars in repairs and even result in loss of business. An on-site security officer will prevent or limit damage to the property.
Keep employees safe: Hotel employees are experts at providing top-level customer service and hospitality to even the most difficult guests, but they’re not cops. Sometimes a law enforcement presence is needed to handle an especially trying or even dangerous situation. Protect your employees by hiring a security patrol service.
Ensuring the guests, staff and building are protected is crucial for both small boutique hotels and large name-brand chains. Hotels need a specialized security guard trained to handle the unique and varied threats found in the hospitality industry. Contact American Pride Security Services today to hire one of our experienced officers who specialize in providing quality security services for Florida hotel properties. We look forward to showing you all the benefits that come with hiring a commercial security service in Fort Myers, FL!
