Prevantive vs. Reactive Security - How the Best Security Prevents Crime Instead of Reacting To It

The duties of a security guard go far beyond simply standing at the location they’ve been hired to protect. An effective security service is a detailed and fine-tuned operation, with specific operating procedures designed around preventative crime reduction, as opposed to being reactive to intrusions they have failed to prevent. This is the defining ethos of 365 Patrol, a rapidly expanding player among Calgary security services.

With an effectively deployed security service, committing a crime against the protected location must be made to feel as difficult and unattractive as possible. To accomplish this, a perception of vigilance and professionalism must be fostered and projected by the security team at all times.

The most important component of this is outward visibility, which goes far beyond merely standing around. The security guard must be vigilant in emphatically showing that they are aware of their surroundings and are not overly distracted. This is simple, but is not easy. It requires training and techniques to ensure it can be done consistently over a prolonged shift. Rounds must be regularly completed on strategically planned routes, at irregular intervals. Sight, sound, and smell must all be engaged to be completely aware of potential threats. Deliberate engagement of these senses also helps project a sense of vigilance and concentration, which contributes greatly to dissuading criminal activity such as trespassing or theft.

Other top priority components are flexibility and initiative. No two locations being protected are the same, and each will have its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses that need to be identified. What is the most probable point of entry for an intruder? What is the hardest area to monitor consistently? What are the top priority and lower priority areas in terms of monitoring importance? These questions and more need to be evaluated by security guards, and the answers will be different depending on the nature of the job. Is it an overnight watch to prevent trespassing? Is it loss prevention in a store? Is it security monitoring a large event? Each security situation is different and requires a unique approach. A security plan that puts preventative measures as their top priority must go into detail in developing a custom-tailored approach to a security situation. Security guards that are adaptable and able to quickly evaluate situations make this possible.

Finally, the least appreciated but just as important component of effective security is a high level of customer service. While what exactly this customer service entails will change depending on the nature of the job, giving customer service its due planning can make the difference in an effective security strategy. Professionalism is of course the top priority with customer service, but it is also important that this does not get conflated with over-aggression or intimidation. This is particularly true in security jobs that deal with a high number of legitimate customers. A properly balanced security approach must create an environment that people feel comfortable in, without sacrificing vigilance in protecting the client’s assets.

This holistic approach to preventative crime reduction security is what’s made 365 Patrol among the most trusted of security companies in Calgary.

Ben Trigueiro is a professional writer, specializing in translating the ethos of your message into a clear and concise prose.