PROTECTION FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Private Security Response Vs. Police Response

By Ryan Heglund

Simply relying on local police to take care of any problems can be a mistake. Advantages of private security over police are many, including:

• Crime deterrence through visibility, vigilance and rapid intervention. 

• Better response time when problems arise (even a few minutes can be crucial)

• Much better knowledge of the people and the geography of the property.

• Ability to help people with non-emergency problems.

• Watching for liability concerns (police may have no concern for your liability)

• The authority to enforce private property rules, and make decisions on behalf of the property owner.

  Business and residential property owners are responsible for providing a safe environment, ensuring that tenants feel secure in their home or office. With multiple people in close proximity, problems and complaints do arise. Many companies offer on-site security personnel who can respond immediately to disturbances or violations.

  Not every property wants on-site security personnel. An excellent alternative is to have a private Security Patrol and Response Service, available to respond to complaints or suspicious activity. A decision to not have a Security Response Service is a decision to rely solely on Police Response for problems and complaints.

              Why a use a Private Security Response Service?  

• Private Security Response can be more efficient and reliable than police.          The population in most urban areas is growing rapidly, but the Police Department most likely not. Depending upon the priority of the call, and other priorities elsewhere in the city, a 911 caller might wait 30 or 60 minutes before a police unit arrives to investigate a situation. A lot can happen in that amount of time: A suspect could complete a robbery and transfer 3 city buses, a vagrant could harass an additional 20 people, a drug dealer could sell an additional 4 bags of crack cocaine. The point is that Police Response to non-emergencies is haphazard and unpredictable. Private Security Patrol Officers can be nearby and able to respond within minutes.

• Private Security Response can be more effective than Police.                       Security Patrol Officers will know your property and your concerns, and can deal with situations according to your wishes and objectives. Police Officers are bound by strict procedural rules that don’t necessarily take into consideration the interests of the property owners.

• Private Security Response can be more discreet than Police.                          Police Officers often arrive with lights and sirens, and may block entrances with multiple vehicles even when responding to minor situations, attracting a great deal of attention to your property. Private Security Officers can operate more discreetly.

• Private Security Officers can assess a situation before a call to Police.                    Most non-emergency issues can be resolved without police action, but without a an informed agent of the property to make that determination, police are often called needlessly. Private security personnel dramatically reduce unnecessary police calls, which not only reflect poorly on the property, but can take time away from Police Officers that would be better spent dealing with other situations.

 Whether your needs would be best served by on-site security personnel, patrol service with regular stops at your property, or simply response to complaints and alarms, Private Security personnel can ensure that any situation is responded to appropriately and effectively.