In Canada’s bustling commercial landscape, business owners face a persistent threat that can significantly impact their bottom line: shop theft. According to a report by News Wire, Canadian retailers lose an astounding $3 billion annually due to this pervasive crime. This staggering figure underscores the urgent need for effective security measures, with professional security guards emerging as a vital solution to lower crime rates in your business.
Despite the clear benefits, some business owners hesitate to hire security guards, viewing it as an unnecessary expense. However, a closer examination reveals that the cost of security services pales in comparison to the potential losses from criminal activities.
Bark, a leading service comparison platform, estimates the cost of hiring a security guard to be between $15-30 per hour. When weighed against the value of assets being protected—often worth millions of dollars—it becomes clear that security guards are not just an expense, but a crucial investment in the safety and longevity of a business.
Businesses have to think of security guards as an investment. Remember, they protect the assets that are the lifeblood of your business.
Let’s delve deeper into how security guards effectively lower crime rates and protect businesses:
1. Their Presence Alone Deters Crime
The mere presence of security guards serves as a powerful deterrent to potential criminals. Standing vigilant at the entrance of an establishment, guards create an intimidating barrier for would-be thieves. The psychological impact of visible security cannot be overstated—criminals are far less likely to target a business when they know they’re being watched.
365 Patrol, a leading security service provider, offers flexible solutions to maximize this deterrent effect:
Static Guards:
Positioned at key points, these guards provide a constant, visible security presence. Their presence alone can help lower your crime rates and theft.
Mobile Patrols:
For businesses requiring wider coverage, mobile patrols offer an unpredictable and dynamic security presence. The constant movement of these guards creates an environment where potential criminals never know when they might be spotted, significantly increasing the risk of detection.
2. They Do Routine Patrols Around the Establishment
Effective security goes beyond standing at a single point. Regular patrols around the establishment are crucial for several reasons:
- Identifying Vulnerabilities: Through systematic patrols, guards become intimately familiar with every corner of the property. This knowledge allows them to identify potential hiding spots or entry points for intruders.
- Adaptive Security: Once vulnerable areas are identified, guards can adjust their patrol routes and focus additional attention on these spots.
- Rapid Response: Familiarity with the layout enables guards to respond quickly to any security breaches, minimizing potential damage or loss.
In cases where a single guard cannot adequately cover all vulnerable areas, 365 Patrol offers scalable solutions, including the option to deploy additional personnel for comprehensive coverage.
3. They Detain Criminals
Security guards do not have the power to arrest anybody, but they can detain criminals. After doing so, they call the police to apprehend them. They seize them by using handcuffs. Bear in mind that highly trained security guards can only be allowed to have handcuffs.
The job of the security guards does not stop with them surrendering the criminals to the police. They must give an eyewitness account of what the criminals did. The information the police receive could motivate them to boost security around the establishment. However, the police could consider the move if the criminal activities are frequent. To summarize:
- Legal Detention: Trained security guards can legally detain individuals caught in criminal acts until law enforcement arrives.
- Use of Restraints: Highly trained guards may be authorized to use handcuffs to secure detained individuals, ensuring safety for all parties involved.
- Crucial Eyewitness Accounts: Guards provide valuable firsthand accounts to police, often serving as key witnesses in criminal proceedings.
- Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Frequent criminal activities reported by security guards can lead to increased police presence in the area, creating a more secure environment overall.
The visible act of detaining criminals serves as a powerful deterrent, sending a clear message to other potential offenders about the consequences of criminal behaviour which results in lower crime rates.
4. They are Available 24/7 to Help Lower Crime Rates
Crime doesn’t adhere to business hours, and neither should security services. The 24/7 availability of security guards addresses several critical vulnerabilities:
- Holiday Protection: When businesses close for holidays, they become attractive targets for criminals. Security guards ensure continuous protection during these high-risk periods.
- After-Hours Security: The presence of guards during nighttime hours deters break-ins and vandalism that often occur when businesses are closed.
- Shift-Based Coverage: 365 Patrol implements a robust shift system, ensuring that guards are always alert and effective, without the risks associated with overwork.
This constant presence provides business owners with peace of mind, knowing their assets are protected around the clock.
Owners can also hire security guards to protect their business while they sleep. 365 Patrols ensure that security guards work in shifts. Therefore, owners do not have to feel like they are overworking security guards.
5. They Monitor CCTVs for Any Suspicious Activities
When security guards monitor CCTV cameras, they gain insight into how criminals make their way to the establishment. As a result, they will guard while paying attention to the spots they enter from. Modern security guards do more than just physically patrol; they act as the human element in a comprehensive security system:
- Real-Time Monitoring: By actively monitoring CCTV feeds, guards can detect suspicious activities as they unfold.
- Pattern Recognition: Over time, guards develop an understanding of normal vs. suspicious behaviour, allowing for quicker identification of potential threats.
- Evidence Collection: In the event of a crime, CCTV footage monitored by guards provides crucial evidence for law enforcement and insurance claims.
- Proactive Response: The combination of CCTV monitoring and physical presence allows guards to respond proactively to potential threats before they escalate.
365 Patrol ensures that its guards are well-trained in the use of modern security technologies to lower crime rates, maximizing the effectiveness of both human and technological security measures.
Conclusion For How Security Guards Can Lower Crime Rates
The role of security guards in lowering crime rates for Canadian businesses cannot be overstated. From their deterrent presence to their ability to directly intervene in criminal activities, security guards provide a multifaceted approach to protecting businesses.
For business owners, the decision to hire security guards should be viewed not as an expense, but as a vital investment in the safety, stability, and success of their enterprise. The cost of security services is minimal compared to the potential losses from theft and the invaluable peace of mind that comes with knowing your business is protected.
365 Patrol – Calgary Security Services stands ready to meet the diverse security needs of businesses across Canada. With their range of services, from static guards to mobile patrols, and their commitment to leveraging both human expertise and technological advancements, they offer comprehensive solutions to the security challenges faced by modern businesses.
Don’t leave your business vulnerable to the costly threat of crime. Contact 365 Patrol today to explore how their professional security services can be tailored to your specific business needs, ensuring the safety of your assets, employees, and customers.
Hopefully, owners understand how significant security guards are in lowering crime. People intending to start a business do not have to play the role of guards when they can hire them. Contact 365 Patrol – Calgary Security Services today to see how we can help with your business or personal security requirements.