Residential complexes and businesses in the U.S., small or large, are facing a historic increase in crime which necessitates the need for a robust response that highly trained security guards can offer.
Private security guards are rigorously trained in actively deterring and preventing large-scale crimes to prevent significant losses to your business and promote safety.
They can reduce unlawful acts on your property such as trespassing, vandalism, theft, burglaries, and others by:
- Providing a clear, visual deterrence to crime
- Identifying and reporting suspicious activities
- Constantly monitoring your property
- Responding to security breaches promptly
- Cooperating with law enforcement investigations
- Detaining suspects until police officers arrive
- Supplementing the efforts of local police forces
Read more below for a detailed discussion.
Scout Security offers professional security guard services in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas. We have highly trained and certified private security guards and mobile patrollers with extensive experience in preventing crime on your property. Contact us for a free consultation now!
9 Ways Security Guards Can Help Protect Your Business from Criminal Activities
Let’s discuss how security guards can help in strengthening your security protocols to maximize safety in your property in detail below:
#1. Visible Deterrence: The Most Important Role of Security Guards
Security guards act as a proactive measure against crime. Their physical presence in your property is a powerful deterrent to criminal activity.
Having visible uniformed security guards in your premises alone can discourage criminals from targeting your business. They do not just deal with criminal activities but also prevent them from occurring in the first place.
As visible deterrents, guards make your property less attractive to potential trespassers, vandals, and other criminals through constant surveillance and active patrolling. This makes potential wrongdoers reconsider their actions in fear of the increased risk of being caught and apprehended.
Security guards can even disrupt early signs of unlawful activities to prevent them from escalating.
The results of a study in 2017 about the deterrent effect of private security agents in public spaces (specifically train stations) on crime showed that constant patrol visits led to a significant 16% reduction in victim-generated crimes with a 49% increase in police-generated detections.
Moreover, the presence of security guards is more intimidating than passive security measures like surveillance cameras which are often installed in less noticeable places. This encourages individuals to maintain lawful behavior knowing that any illegal actions are likely to be detected quickly and dealt with.
But, this does not mean that CCTV cameras are not effective. Security guards can supplement CCTV cameras and vice versa to eliminate surveillance gaps and allow for swift detection of criminal activities.
Also Read: Security Guard Legal Powers: What They Can and Can’t Do
#2. Comprehensive Risk Assessment
Security guards help in identifying and mitigating risks through a comprehensive risk assessment of your entire property to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Private security agencies offer (often free) detailed risk assessments of their client’s property and security protocols to uncover weaknesses that could leave you vulnerable to criminal activities. This allows you to perform immediate actions to address the identified issues before they could damage your business.
Also Read: 10 Benefits of Hiring a Security Guard to Protect Your Business
#3. Access Control
Security guards can manage who enters your building to make it tougher for criminals to infiltrate your property.
Our guards will ensure that access is limited to authorized individuals only by:
- Verifying your visitors’ identities
- Inspecting the vehicles of your visitors
- Inspecting bags or packages
- Assisting in opening and closing your building
- Controlling access to restricted areas
- Performing constant patrols (more on this later)
In addition, modern access control systems (e.g. keycard entries or biometric scanners) can further aid guards in regulating entry and exit. Thus, significantly lowering the risk of unauthorized access and security breaches.
Also Read: How to Increase Business Security With a 24-Hour Guard
#4. Regular Patrols and Surveillance
Security guards serve as additional eyes and ears for law enforcement. They help monitor signs of trespassing, vandalism, theft, and other criminal behaviors on your property as well as identify security risks through regular patrols and vigilant surveillance.
Guards perform regular rounds, including mobile patrols, to quickly detect suspicious activities (e.g. repeatedly circling vehicles and suspicious people) and assess the presence of threats. This allows for the quick implementation of corrective measures and the apprehension of potential criminals.
Also Read: 15 Different Types of Security Guards & What They Do: A Guide for Property Managers
#5. Asset Protection
For commercial and industrial settings, security guards can protect your valuable assets, merchandise, and equipment to minimize theft, vandalism, and trespassing risks.
Moreover, businesses in the hospitality industry can provide peace of mind to their guests knowing that their valuables are safe from theft with guards visibly present in your premises. This can help you boost customer trust and loyalty to improve your reputation and sales.
Also Read: When Should You Hire Short-Term or Temporary Security Guards?
#6. Conflict Management
Security guards are trained in effective conflict de-escalation techniques to mediate disputes and manage unruly behavior efficiently to prevent situations from escalating into violence or criminal acts.
Also referred to as verbal judo, using conflict de-escalation to diffuse tensions helps maintain a safe and harmonious environment for your guests and employees. This minimizes the risk of altercations and potential criminal acts.
Also Read: How Security Guards Handle Conflicts & De-escalate Violent Situations
#7. Quick Response to Security Breaches and Emergencies
Security guards can quickly respond to security alarms and emergencies to minimize further damage to your business. They also help resolve the issue as fast as possible by contacting the police and other emergency services.
Private security personnel are experts in assessing various emergencies swiftly and acting decisively to disrupt ongoing crimes and prevent escalation. This is made possible by their constant monitoring of suspicious activities on your premises.
Moreover, they use advanced communication devices to improve coordination during emergencies. They are also trained in using security alarms and systems which further helps in ensuring rapid response. They can investigate alarms, call for backup, detain suspects (depending on your jurisdiction), and act as physical barriers to protect people in danger.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Ensuring Building Security: 11 Helpful Tips
Security guards are also adaptable and flexible. They can handle evolving security threats and challenges by continuously updating their knowledge and skills to keep up with new security risks.
Whether in medical emergencies, natural disasters, fires, or criminal activities, these guards are trained in various emergency response procedures to save lives and prevent losses. These procedures include:
- Evacuation procedures
- First aid and CPR
- Crowd control
In addition, the ability of security guards to respond without delay during off-hours or before police arrive is crucial in apprehending suspects and preventing escape.
Also Read: The Role of Security Guards in Emergency Response
#8. Coordinating with Law Enforcement Authorities
Security guards collaborate with your local law enforcement to enhance crime prevention efforts. They report suspicious activities as well as provide essential information for investigations.
As we’ve mentioned, security guards can help in rapid emergency response by immediately contacting law enforcement and emergency service providers. They are your first line of defense against crimes in your business.
Their knowledge of your premises and surveillance efforts allow them to provide valuable information to law enforcement which can aid in investigations to increase criminal apprehension rates.
Also Read: Security Guards vs. Police Officers: Key Differences & Similarities
They can provide crucial details like:
- The nature of the emergency
- The sequence of events
- Suspect descriptions
- The location of people in need of assistance
- Initial statements from witnesses at the scene
In addition, the detailed documentation and reporting of incidents done by security guards can contribute significantly to crime investigation. These documents, along with access control logs and surveillance footage, can help law enforcement and businesses identify patterns to reduce future criminal activities.
Also Read: Why Private Security and Law Enforcement Collaboration is Crucial
#9. Security Education and Awareness
Security guards can also engage with your employees and tenants or visitors to promote security awareness and enhance safety in your business.
By educating your employees and tenants/visitors on the best security practices and protocols, they will become more security-conscious and less prone to risky behaviors. Thus, preventing potential criminal activities and creating a safer environment.
Also Read: 11 Problems a Security Guard Can Help You Solve
Other Key Things to Know About the Role of Security Guards in Preventing Criminal Activities
What are the major duties and responsibilities of a security guard?
Below are some of the many duties of security guards in maximizing safety and security in your business:
- Deter criminal activities
- Prevent unauthorized access
- Identify and mitigate potential threats
- Report any suspicious activity to supervisors and authorities
- Conduct regular patrols and inspections
- Enforce company policies
- Control access to your premises
- Write detailed incident reports
- Manage crowds and traffic during events
- Respond promptly to emergencies
- Coordinate with authorities
- Maintain security equipment
- Offer administrative support
- Assist with customer service
Also Read: Proprietary Security vs Contract Security Companies: Which Suits Your Business Best?
How can private security further assist law enforcement in crime prevention and community safety?
Security guards can improve the safety of communities by collaborating with law enforcers and helping them deal with security issues. They do this by:
- Providing visible deterrence through increased surveillance to reduce the likelihood of crimes occurring
- Supplementing police manpower when law enforcement is understaffed to ensure continuous surveillance and rapid response
- Sharing real-time information and intelligence
- Sharing resources (e.g. advanced surveillance technologies and specialized skills) to complement law enforcement efforts in crime prevention and investigation
- Identifying and reporting early signs of suspicious behavior as soon as possible for law enforcement to intervene faster before the situation worsens
- Providing immediate assistance during emergencies, managing crowds, and securing perimeters until law enforcement arrives
- Handling routine security tasks to allow law enforcement to allocate their resources and attention to more critical safety concerns
- Working alongside law enforcement during events to ensure comprehensive coverage, manage risks, and maintain public safety
Future Trends in Security Guard Services for Crime Prevention
According to ASIS International’s list of the top security trends of 2023, below are some of the trends related to security technology and crime prevention strategies:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Integrating AI in threat detection and response allows for quicker and more efficient management of threats
- Zero Trust – The “never trust, always verify”’ approach
- Proactive Security – Physical security is becoming proactive with the help of AI, machine learning, and robotics
- Remote Monitoring – Using advanced surveillance cameras for 24/7 remote monitoring services
Also Read:
- How to Hire a Security Guard: 7 Factors to Consider & More
- 15 Top Qualities of a Good Security Guard: Skills to Look For
- 9 Ways Security Guards Can Prevent Vandalism
- 6 Advantages of Having a Hybrid Security Strategy
FAQs
Uniformed security officers provide a professional and highly visible security presence to deter crime and promote a safe environment for your business. They are trained in various security techniques and help maintain your professional image by interacting positively with your customers, clients, and employees.
The key benefits you’ll get in stationing uniformed security guards on your property include crime deterrence, reduced liabilities, and an enhanced sense of security among your employees and guests. This increases productivity, improves your reputation, and boosts customer trust.
They prevent crimes through active surveillance to identify security vulnerabilities, detect potential threats, and disrupt early signs of criminal activities. Their visible presence discourages law violators from targeting your premises.
Security guards vigilantly monitor your premises to detect suspicious behavior and activities. Moreover, security firms also use your historical crime data and predictive algorithms to identify high-risk locations and times so they can strategically deploy guards around your property.
Conclusion
The presence of security guards not only deter potential criminals but also reassures your employees and customers that their safety is your top priority. Through a combination of visibility, vigilant patrols, quick emergency response, and law enforcement collaboration, they can effectively mitigate security risks in your property.
Get unparalleled safety for your property in the Colorado Springs and Denver Metro areas by partnering with Scout Security. We have highly trained and licensed security guards to help prevent potential threats in your business and avoid potential losses. Call us now!
