How to Make Sure Your Construction Security Guards Are Providing Quality Service

Security guards work hard to keep all kinds of businesses and commercial sites safe. Making sure they’re doing their job properly should be a part of your job as well. Quality guards are ready and alert at all times and not, for example, falling asleep on the job. Most traditional evaluations don’t accurately measure how good construction site security is. Here are some of the ways you can figure out how well your construction site security in Bloomingdale, IL is working:

  • Arrive early: Employees are much more likely to work harder and smarter when they know they’re being observed. Arrive earlier than usual once in a while to check on your construction site security guards. This will allow you to see if they’re working hard only when they know you’re around.
  • Night check: Security guards are most important at night, when people aren’t usually on-site. Unfortunately, this is also the time slacking guards tend to shirk their duties. Drop in between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. and check on your construction site security. You’ll be able to see if they’re displaying any unacceptable behavior. It also means the guards won’t know when you’ll be there and will therefore be less likely to try and goof off or get away with anything.
  • Talk it out: Don’t just greet your security guard. When arriving or leaving, ask them some questions. Ask about patrols, and if anything has happened lately. This will force them to be on the ball and identify areas you’ll need to improve. Also, pepper in some small talk or questions about the guard’s life. Showing a little humanity will make them respect you more, likely improving their morale and boosting their performance.
  • Check for comfort items: Sleeping on the job is one of the worst offenses a security guard can commit. Check around your construction site security for common signs of sleep. Some of the warning signs are anything that can be used as a pillow (like balled-up shirts or jackets), missed patrols at night, lights turned down and groggy or frazzled guards when you show up unannounced at night. It’s easier to find this problem if you come in early or visit during the night. A sleeping guard will probably clean up by the time you usually come in for work.
  • Video is your friend: Video surveillance can not only help your construction site security in their work, it can also keep them honest. You can use surveillance equipment to check your security guard’s performance.

American Pride Security Services offers highly skilled and hard-working construction site security in Bloomingdale, IL. We’re state regulated and licensed, and we stand behind our service with a guarantee of high quality—we won’t lock you into a contract if you aren’t fully satisfied with the service we provide. Reach out to us today to learn more about our company and how we can make your construction site and your employees safer and more secure. We look forward to working with you!

Security Guards See It All—Because They’re Trained for It

Security guards play an important role in keeping your business safe. It’s a surprisingly demanding job, one that requires a lot of effort and attentiveness. Quality guards are ready and alert at all times. A respected security patrol service in Bloomingdale, IL will make sure their guards are prepared for what they need to do. Here’s a look at some of the surprising things security guards need for this demanding job:

  • Intense training: No matter what they’re guarding, everyone who works for security patrol services in Bloomingdale, IL goes through training. The guards have to complete annual testing and, if they carry a firearm, have to pass tests for that, as well. Some schools have even developed specific programs to train and teach future security guards.
  • Look with a purpose: Security guards aren’t just looking around—they’re usually told what to look for. If there is an uptick in crime because of a gang, they’ll be on the lookout for any signs of said gang members. They also do their best to be aware of any police reports about suspects to keep their eyes and ears open.
  • Shoplift at your own peril: Security guards know exactly what to look for when spotting shoplifters—oversized jackets, large purses and looking around too much while shopping. Security guards are limited in what they can do to a shoplifter. However, they can’t chase after one if they run, as they’re not police officers. They’re also limited in what they can do to detain someone. The security patrol service in Bloomingdale, IL needs to have visual proof of a crime. The guard has to see the suspect conceal the merchandise and watch them leave with it. Even then, their ability to stop the shoplifter is limited.
  • Technology changes: Technology has done an amazing job in leveling the playing field. Whether through cameras or other helpful technology, such as alarms, a security patrol service in Bloomingdale, IL isn’t the only line of defense when protecting your business. Smart technology means the huge department store and the little mom-and-pop shop down the street can both be well protected.
  • Alert and ready: Security guards adjust their level of attention based on the job. At some jobs, they need to constantly be on high alert for any wrongdoing, like at major museums and high-end stores. Other jobs are a little more relaxed, where the security patrol service just needs to keep an eye on a variety of things throughout the area, but isn’t as focused on specifics. There’s also the priority order that guards need to look for. Some must protect staff and guests first, while others are primarily there to protect the art or merchandise.

American Pride Security Services can provide skillful and hard-working security patrol service in Bloomingdale, IL. We’re state regulated and licensed and are a proud employer of several military veterans. Unlike most security companies, we stand behind our service with a guarantee that, if you are not happy with the service we provide and the problem cannot be resolved, we will void the remainder of the contract. Call us or visit us today and see why we are so proud of our company!

Laying Off or Terminating Employees Calls for Commercial Security Services in Fort Myers, FL

Having to let employees go can be difficult for everyone involved, and it is very possible that those who are being laid off might become very upset upon hearing the news. If this happens, you will need to make sure your company and the remaining employees remain protected from any potential threats with experienced commercial security service in Fort Myers, FL. Although this process will never be easy, here are a few things to keep in mind to help the situation go as smoothly as possible.

Efficient interactions

Timing is everything, and when it comes to laying off or terminating employees, it is best to try to do so towards the end of the workday. If you let an employee know you will be letting them go as soon as they come in, there is the possibility that they might return to the building later that day. If you give an employee the news on a late Friday afternoon, on the other hand, it gives them less time in the business day to return, and in turn gives them an entire weekend to cool down and process the news before making any emotionally driven decisions.

Should you have to lay off multiple employees, there is the question of whether you should break the news to everyone at once or handle each case individually. If you choose to give each person the news separately, other employees might catch wind of what is going on, which presents the opportunity for the potential theft of company data or property if they think their name will be called next. But while a group termination might limit access to company property, doing one-on-one exit interviews in which important facets of the layoff or termination are discussed and explained can help to eliminate confusion, which can do a lot for a former employee’s temperament. If you do lay off each employee individually, make sure to have at least one other team member in the room as a witness.

The need for security

The safety of your employees and your company is not something that should be taken lightly. Even if you don’t have any inkling that a terminated employee’s departure could become a problem it is still a good idea to err on the side of caution, and hiring a security company can be very helpful both during and after layoffs. With hired security on site, there will be a trained professional available to monitor the employee as they gather all of their personal effects and exit the building. Keeping the guard on site for a time after the layoffs can be beneficial as well, as there will be someone available if a terminated employee comes back to the site and has not cooled down yet.

If you need commercial security service in Fort Myers, FL to assist with a difficult layoff period for your company, contact American Pride Security Services right away. Our professional and knowledgeable staff has been well-trained for various workplace situations, and we can help keep your company and team members safe even when the tension is high. Give us a call today to learn more about all of the security services that we can offer you.

Hire the Best in Hotel Security

Whether you manage a boutique hotel with just a handful of rooms or you are responsible for a large hotel with hundreds of rooms, it is imperative to ensure that the guests, staff and the building itself remain protected at all times. While hiring a standard security guard can be effective and is certainly better than nothing, hotels are open to unique and varied threats, and as a result typically need specialized hotel security guard services Here are several things you should look for when hiring an experienced security team:

  • Proper training and industry knowledge: Because hotels deal with a unique set of potential threats, any security agency that is hired will need to have experience with hotel industry processes and procedures. A quality security firm will assess the property so that they can create tailor-made security services for your specific hotel, and the staff will be properly trained so that they can get acclimated to your needs quickly and seamlessly.
  • Licensing: Making sure that your security company is licensed before you sign any contracts is critical. If a company is licensed with the state, that means they are following all of the current regulations both with their company and its employees. It also shows that they care about their clients, as their licensed status can help protect you from potential legal ramifications as well.
  • Good customer service: Although the primary function of any security agency you hire is to protect your premises, there will be times in which they might have to interact with hotel guests as well. For this reason, any company you select will need to have guards with a good record for customer service so you can be sure that they will conduct themselves with proper decorum the entire time they are on hotel property.
  • Specialized services: The best type of hotel security service is one that can adapt to your needs. For example, there might be a language barrier between you and your clientele, and you may be in need of bilingual security guards. Or perhaps your hotel is known for creating a certain type of upscale atmosphere, and it is best for you to seek out a security agency whose trained guards can wear business attire instead of the traditional security uniform.
  • Reputation: The best way to gauge how suitable of a fit a security agency will be for your hotel is to do your research. Check with other hotels in the area that have employed an agency about the experiences they have had. Also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the company you want to work with has an established history of providing exemplary service.

If you want the very best in hotel security guard services to make sure that your property remains protected at all times, contact the team at American Pride Security Services. With well over a decade of experience providing security in the hotel industry, you can rely on our highly-trained and customer-oriented staff to help keep your property protected. Make sure to give us a call today to learn about the many ways we can keep your hotel safeguarded and secure!

The Role of an Auto Dealership Security Guard

Shopping for a new car typically isn’t the most fun experience. You’ve got the pushy sales guy trying to get you to buy a vehicle you don’t need or add unnecessary features to the vehicle you’re considering buying. While we’re not fans of those types of sales tactics, we are committed to ensuring everyone and everything at an auto dealership is safe and secure. Here are a few of the reasons car dealerships might hire a security patrol service:

  • Provide a sense of safety: Our guards pride themselves on providing a sense of safety for everyone at your car dealership. Both your employees and customers will feel better about being at your lot knowing they’re protected from any outside threat or person trying to do harm. Additionally, our guards will help put your mind at ease knowing that nothing will go wrong under their watchful eye.
  • Protect vehicles from vandals: Whether vehicle vandals are just looking to cause mischief on your car lot or actively trying to destroy your merchandise, vandals are always something to worry about. Security cameras might deter some vandals, but the best way to prevent any vandalism is to have a security guard patrolling your lot around the clock. Give us a call today to learn more about our 24/7 patrol services!
  • Prevent theft: The only thing worse than vehicle vandalism is theft. Your insurance will help you recoup the cost of a stolen vehicle, but that’s a big hassle. Much like how we protect you from vandalism, the best way to deter would-be thieves is by stationing a uniformed security guard at your lot. There’s no way a thief will go forward with a crime if they know they’ll be apprehended by one of our guards.
  • Deter other crimes: Vandalism and theft aren’t the only crimes that might be committed on car lots. As you know, both violent and non-violent crimes can happen anywhere at any time. You can help ensure your auto dealership isn’t turned into a crime scene by hiring a security patrol service. From drug deals to violent crimes, we can prevent all kinds of bad things from happening on your lot, both day and night.
  • Monitor the lot 24/7: Issues don’t always when your dealership is open. In fact, many of the problems that occur at car dealerships happen after you close for the day. Because of this, you need to have someone on site around the clock to keep an eye on things. Hire a uniformed security guard to patrol your property day and night. We can either stop something bad from happening or alert the proper authorities.
  • Maintain order: Large groups of people in one place at the same time can get out of hand rather quickly. Are you prepared to handle this situation at your auto dealership? If not, give us a call. Our guards are trained to maintain order when things go awry at your place of business.

The choice is simple—protect your inventory and customers by hiring a security patrol service. Give American Pride Security Services a call today for more information about all of our services, or to hire one of our guards to patrol your lot.