Commercial properties and construction sites often hire a security guard service to help protect project locations, outdoor assets, and supplies from thieves and vandals. There are over 140,000 licensed security guards in Canada, double the 70,000 active police officers. Although the difference isn’t quite as significant, security guards also outnumber police officers in the U.S. According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), there are more than one million employed security guards and 900,000 active police officers.
Based on growing trends in both countries, the need for security guards will likely increase. However, security guard service companies may not be equipped to keep up with the demand. As a result, there could be less emphasis and effort given to adequate training and regulations, putting employees and civilians at risk.
There is no federally standardized training protocol for security guards in either the United States or Canada. In 15 states, armed security guards can carry guns without fire arms training. Federal criminal background checks are not mandatory in several states.
Security guards in Canada are not armed, but they can physically restrain people until police come. The director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s (CCLA) public safety program said she has received complaints about systemic discrimination and excessive force by security guards and fears these situations could escalate into something more dangerous.
Nearly 1,000 complaints have been filed against private security guard service companies in the last five years. Many of these reports do not contain detailed information about the incidents nor do they include resolutions or outcomes of the cases.
According to an investigation by CNN and The Center of Investigative Reporting, some armed security guards have criminal records, with offenses ranging from domestic violence, drugs, and alcohol, to disciplinary issues that occurred during previous employment as police officers.
One more factor to keep in mind: A security guard may befriend workers who frequent the site or people who pass by frequently. As a result, they may lose their objectivity, turning, a blind eye to criminal activity.
An Effective Alternative to a Security Guard Service
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Stealth Monitoring are the leaders in remote video surveillance in Canada and the U.S, with over 400 employees, 11 offices, and 3 live video monitoring control centers. Our proactive video monitoring watches over 17,000 IP and CCTV security cameras. Our security solutions feature advanced technology and can detect and deter crime while reducing security guard and other expenses. Our remote monitoring service can reduce or even replace security guards at a fraction of the cost. A remote surveillance operator can see suspicious activity, activate a speaker warning, and call the local police.
Please call toll-free (866) 756-7847 or contact us today for more information to protect your outdoor assets. Visit the web site to see real arrest videos at construction sites, multifamily apartments, shopping centers, office buildings, warehouses, auto dealerships, and other commercial real estate properties.
