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Six Things Every Security Guard Candidate Needs to Know

The private security industry is bigger than it’s ever been and growing with each passing year. As a result of that rapid and consistent growth, the industry offers aspiring guard candidates plenty of opportunities for charting a rewarding and successful career. But what can those job candidates expect if they pursue a career dedicated to the protection of life and property? Before you embark on your new career, here are six things that you should know if you want to be a security guard.

The Job is a Mix of the Routine and Unexpected

The job of the security guard is complex. There are times when everything is routine, but no security guard can ever afford to become complacent. The unexpected can occur at any moment, in almost any guarded environment. That’s just one reason why security guards must always be vigilant and prepared for any eventuality.

Most Jobs Involve Some Public Interaction

If you’re attracted to a career in security because you want to avoid public interaction, you might want to reconsider your options. The fact is that most security guards end up dealing with customers or other members of the public on a fairly regular basis.

You Can’t Let Your Emotions Get the Better of You

While we’re on the subject of public interaction, it’s important to recognize that those interactions may not always be pleasant. Irate customers and others may be verbally abusive or outright hostile at times, and security guards need to be able to respond as dispassionately and professionally as possible. You need to be able to check your emotions and maintain a calm, cool demeanor in any confrontation.

Every Job is Different

It’s also important to understand that no two security guard assignments are alike. Yes, they may share some similarities, but each environment is different and job duties may vary from place to place. To meet that challenge, you need to be able to accept change and adapt to new situations.

Security Guards Do Not Have Police Powers

About the only thing that you’ll have in common with law enforcement is the fact that you each wear uniforms. As a security guard, you won’t have arrest powers or many of the other capabilities the police rely on to enforce their will or keep order. It’s important to keep that in mind, to ensure that you remain within the bounds of the law as you perform your duties.

In New York City, Training is Mandatory

New York City security guards need to be licensed by the state, regardless of whether they serve as armed or unarmed guards. Before that can happen, however, you will need to be properly trained, by instructors who are approved and licensed to provide that education.

Fortunately, when it comes to proper security guard training, there’s one company in New York that stands head and shoulders above the rest: ISS. If you’re ready to begin your security guard training and want to ensure that you’re properly prepared for the job ahead, contact International Security Services – New York City’s dedicated security experts.

 

 

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George Kozhar

George Kozhar is a respected security professional, licensed private investigator, and founder of International Security Services (ISS) - New York City’s dedicated security experts since 1999. Mr. Kozhar and his team provide a full array of private and business investigative services in the U.S. and overseas, VIP executive protection, armed and unarmed security guard services and training, and Fire and Life Safety Director training through the company’s Fire Science Institute.

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August 10th, 2022

Property Security Evaluation Report

Your Individualized Property Evaluation Report

Your site’s individualized property evaluation report contains information and analysis that you need to properly manage your site’s security needs. That information includes detailed analysis of the crime rate in your area, site access and parking protocols, and existing security infrastructure. Interior inspection includes analysis of emergency exits, fire suppression capabilities, and alarm infrastructure for emergencies. Exterior inspection includes analysis of structural defects, property lighting, and potential vulnerabilities in building access.

In addition to those inspections, our analysis also considered environmental factors, potential risks from older trees, outside property maintenance, and nearby crime that may overflow to the area. We also examined emergency response planning, including fire evacuation protocols and information supplied to residents about proper evacuation process.

 

Pressing Suggestions


We highly suggest a camera placement along this driveway, as the overhead cameras in the back parking lot may not capture all makes, models, and license plates of cars entering in and out based on the angle they are recording from. The best camera placement would be at the green circle closest to the sidewalk/street.
The common area is easily accessible, but based on the angle that cameras are set at the front lot, anyone can enter the basement common area concealing the side of their face that is facing the camera. This is not to say that the camera arrangement should be changed, but it is highly recommended to have coverage in this common area as the common area is on a lower floor not visible from the sidewalk.


However, a few fundamental problems exist when it comes to access control of the back parking (a big territory). Even though only two issues have ever occurred there, the wide-open access point to that lot may need to be corrected sooner than later as there is a significant uptick in crime in the 62nd precinct.

Furthermore, there are two fundamental surveillance blind spots along the driveway leading to the back parking lot and every common area.

Lastly, however unlikely it may seem, tenants should have resources and a physical guide for situations that may require an evacuation. Whether it be a flood or fire, each tenant should know how to use a fire extinguisher and where to evacuate to during a flood regardless of their proximity to a shoreline.


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