What Is the Role of a Hotel Security Guard?

Keeping a hotel completely secure presents some unique challenges. The clientele rotates daily. Plus, your customers are often people who are unfamiliar with the area, which means they are themselves at higher risk of being taken advantage of than if they were at home. There are just so many unknowns. At any given time, someone might have thousands and thousands of dollars of valuable jewelry in their rooms. Or you might have an otherwise nice guest in your hotel who just can’t hold their alcohol. The challenges of being a hotel security guard are totally unique for every new day and for every new guest.

That being said, the responsibilities of hotel security guard services can be broken down into a few broad duties.

Surveillance

For any security officer, their most important job is to be watchful. Keep an eye out for anything that seems unusual or out of the ordinary. Security guards patrol the hotel grounds––the hallways, the parking lots, the balconies, the facilities, the pools, etc.––and also often watch video surveillance equipment, all with the aim of keeping a watchful eye on as much of the whole hotel property as is possible at any given time.

Deal with combative guests

Many hotels have bars and restaurants. Anytime you have a bar, you’re guaranteed to run into a belligerent individual every once in a while. Hotel security guards often act as unofficial “bouncers,” letting inebriated and belligerent guests know when it’s time to go. Security guards also often have to deal with loiterers, especially in bigger cities where homelessness and vagrancy is more common.

Respond to guest complaints

Another important responsibility of being a hotel security guard is to respond to the disturbance calls of guests. If there’s a young family in a room next door to room full of teenagers partying for spring break, it might very well be the security guard’s job to respond to the family’s call and help quiet down the teenagers when they won’t settle down in the middle of the night. These conflicts are rarely if ever serious, but they’re almost always handled better by an intermediary than if they’re handled by the two conflicting parties on their own.

Complete reports and document their surveillance activities

Most security officers have to keep impeccable records of all of their activities while on guard duty. These reports help protect the security guards from liability when things go wrong, and can also be extremely useful on those rare occasions when the police need to be called to the premises. In those cases, a security guard’s security reports can act as evidence, helping the cops investigate whatever crime has been committed.

At American Pride Security Services, we provide security guard services, for a variety of businesses. If you are in need of security guard services, give us a call today. We can get a quick handle on your needs with a security survey, and can help you close all the gaps in your security plan. If you currently have your own security on staff, give us a call and see if outsourcing your security needs can save you money. We’ve been the trusted leader in security guard services, for more than 11 years. You can count on us to help you protect your business.

Five Reasons to Hire a Commercial Security Service in Fort Myers, FL

As a business owner, you know that threats are everywhere. You’re constantly faced with obstacles interfering with the goal of keeping both your employees and company assets safe. But keeping your commercial space secure from thieves and intruders while also maintaining your employees’ safety can be a challenging task. Luckily, this duty doesn’t have to fall on your shoulders. Instead, leave it to a qualified commercial security service in Fort Myers, FL. A professional security service will deter thefts and create a crime-free environment for your employees and customers.

To help you understand how a security company can help your commercial business, here are just a few benefits you can expect to experience:

  • Peace of mind: You already have so many different tasks to deal with, so why not clear your plate by hiring a commercial security company? These highly trained professionals will take every step to ensure your property is secure 24/7. That means you can go home without having to worry about whether someone is attempting to break into your business. There’s no doubt this is a worthy investment just for the peace of mind it will provide.
  • Reduced crime: Having a commercial security guard on-site can reduce the crime rate drastically. Thieves will be much more hesitant to shoplift after being greeted by a security guard when they walk through the doors. Plus, it lets them know you are prepared to respond appropriately to a criminal event.
  • Customer service: The role of a security guard can expand from just protecting customers to also assisting them. Based on your needs, your security guard can also assist with pointing patrons to their destination, like to a certain building floor or to the parking area. They can also come in handy for receiving any deliveries, or just by welcoming visitors and employees with a smile every morning.
  • Constant coverage: You can’t be at work all day. Luckily, a security guard can. Their job doesn’t have to end when the doors are locked after a long day of business. They will continuously monitor every single person coming into and out of your commercial building. After hours, they will patrol the area to ensure no one attempts to access the building undetected.
  • Emergency response: Do your employees know what to do with a shoplifter while waiting for police to arrive? What about how to help a guest while an ambulance rushes to the scene? If the answer is no, then that is yet another reason to hire a security guard. They are prepared to handle these worst-case scenarios. With their extensive training, they are ready to manage any situation to maintain order and security. A security guard can also conduct interviews and take notes to help emergency officials with any subsequent proceedings.

American Pride Security Services is ready to help you keep your commercial property safe. We consistently employ only highly trained security experts to keep your business protected. We’re not just another security guard company, but a specialized service that can provide you with security, communication, and clerical services. Call us today to learn more about how hiring a commercial security service in Fort Myers, FL can benefit you.

The Role of a Commercial Security Service in Fort Myers, FL in Promoting Fire Safety

If you have a business space or own a commercial property, then you might be interested in hiring a security officer (also called a security guard) to take charge of all your safety and security concerns. With a security officer patrolling the grounds, there’s less chance of criminal activity, and your employees and customers will feel safer. Many security companies also train their officers to deal with fires in the workplace, but the security officer needs to know your protocol for fire emergencies prior to starting service.

Without a doubt, you need to make sure you are hiring the right security officer for your needs. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the role of a commercial security service in Fort Myers, FL when it comes to fire safety.

Fire prevention

Whether patrolling a shopping mall or a college campus parking lot, one of the most essential duties of a security guard is to be observant. They must always be watching the property for suspicious activity and unauthorized individuals to prevent a crime from happening. The same thing applies to being vigilant of fire hazards—like noticing sparks or heat coming from electrical panels or equipment or around flammable materials. The officer will also inspect fire extinguishers regularly. Explain to your security officer what it is your business does and the products you work with so they are properly prepared.

Make important phone calls

Regardless of whether you hire a security guard to work during business hours with people present or to patrol the property alone after hours, the security guard is typically the first person to sound the alarm and call for help in the event of a fire. If there are signs of a fire—such as an alarm sounding or the presence of smoke—the security officer may be expected to confirm that there is indeed a fire. Should there actually be a fire emergency, the guard will activate the fire alarm, call the fire department and inform the client of the situation. They will also report to their supervisor.

Help with evacuation

Before a commercial security officer begins a new patrol, they need to know the exact evacuation procedures for every type of emergency situation the client has in place. In general, basic evacuation procedures will likely include calming down and directing crowds of people to the nearest emergency exit, as well as dealing with large crowds once everyone is outside the building. And there’s a good chance they will be the person communicating important information to the emergency response team at the scene. Additionally, the security officer should regularly check that emergency exits are clear, with no objects in the way to block fire escape routes or exits.

Can your business benefit from hiring an experienced commercial security service in Fort Myers, FL? At American Pride Security Services, all our patrol vehicles come equipped with a fire extinguisher and a security officer who knows how to use it. Contact us to learn more about our fire safety procedures, or to start taking advantage of professional security services today!

Reduce Crime by Hiring a Commercial Security Service for Your Business

Many crimes that occur on a business’ property are based on opportunity—like shoplifting, robbery, building tagging and physical assaults. And while any type of business can encounter thefts and crimes, some are more popular targets, including banks, retail shops, convenience stores and product warehouses. Luckily for you and your business, hiring a professional security officer to patrol the grounds and perform safety checks can deter a lot of criminals. In fact, having a high level of visible security can cut your risk of criminal activity by more than 50 percent. It’s well worth it to at least talk with a security company about your specific needs.

Here are some of the top benefits of hiring a commercial security service for your business:

  • Security: Safety and security are of the utmost importance—especially when it comes to your patrons. If you are a business owner or commercial property owner who is looking for ways to protect your livelihood and your customers, then security guard services might be for you. The mere presence of a security guard gives clients and their employees and customers peace of mind, as well as a sense of security. More over, your business doesn’t need to be in a high crime area or sell luxury items to take advantage of a security guard service.
  • Crime prevention: Like a residential home with a “beware of dog” sign or visible home security cameras, criminals are more likely to think twice about targeting your business when there’s a security officer present. A well-trained security guard looks for suspicious activity, assesses situations and takes action against security breaches, making them a greater deterrent than a typical security system. Hired guards show criminals you are serious about protecting your business.
  • Handling crime: Depending on their level of training and the company’s policies, a security guard may note details of a crime to relay to the police or physically detain a suspect. Procedures will be in place should a guard need to handle a business crime situation. It’s also your decision to either hire armed or unarmed guards to protect your business—let any commercial security service that you are considering know your preference.
  • Real-time monitoring: Depending on the type of establishment, business security cameras may be partially or completely unmanned, only recording activity inside and outside the business. Unfortunately, this does not help much if a crime is in progress, but the footage can be used as evidence later. The good news is that you can hire a security guard who both actively patrols the premises and is employed to monitor the business’ video surveillance. A professional guard is trained to watch the screens for shoplifters and other trouble inside the business, and to keep an eye out during off hours.

When the time comes to hire a professional commercial security service to patrol your business property, give us a call at American Pride Security Services. Our security guards are properly trained, and they possess the skills necessary to prevent crime and maintain your business’ security. Contact us today!

Does Your Project Require Construction Site Security?

Construction sites are easy targets for a variety of threats. There is valuable equipment and materials left out in the open, and theft is a common problem on these unmanned sites. Fortunately, with construction site security in Bloomingdale, IL, you can better protect your assets and ensure your job isn’t compromised by theft, vandals or vagrants.

Protection from theft

By hiring construction site security in Bloomingdale, IL, you can provide the protection your job site needs from theft. Materials are costly, and having to replace these supplies because of theft can have a severe impact on your overall job budget. Imagine losing a large piece of equipment that you desperately need to complete a job—it probably looks a lot like a recipe for a costly disaster!

With construction site security in Bloomingdale, IL, you will be able to have your job site looked after when you are there to look after your vehicles, equipment and materials. Security officers will patrol your construction site to ensure that no one enters who isn’t supposed to be there. This helps to ward off intruders and eliminates the potential risk of having your materials or equipment stolen.

Just the presence of construction site security is enough to prevent thieves from accessing your job site. They know that the risk of getting caught is higher when security personnel are onsite, and will look elsewhere to create havoc. Knowing that a security company is protecting your property when you are away will give you the peace of mind you are looking for, as well as help to ensure your construction project goes off without a hitch and you don’t arrive one morning to discover items missing.

Eliminate vandals and vagrants

Construction site security in Bloomingdale, IL also works to prevent vandals and vagrants from hanging out at your job site, making a mess or damaging the work that you have done. Anyone who wants to create problems on your job site will immediately be removed from the premises by security officers who are highly professional in dealing with these types of situations.

Construction sites are also hot spots for homeless individuals and gang activity. These individuals and groups can easily destroy the hard work that you have accomplished and wind up costing you additional money in repairs to clean up after their mischief. By investing in construction site security in Bloomingdale, IL, you remove your job site as a potential place for people to loiter and allow your project to stay secure and free of damage so you don’t have to pay for avoidable repairs. Security on site at your construction project will also reduce the liability of having someone injured, as they won’t have access to the property.

Having construction site security at your job site will allow you to save on damage, replacement materials and lost equipment, giving you the security you need for your project. Contact American Pride Security Services to bring our experienced and highly qualified professionals onto your job site. We have been specializing in protection and security services since 2005, and will work our hardest to keep you and your assets safe.