Hiring Security for Your Shopping Center: What You Need to Know

If you are a shopping center owner or manager, you know the value of having a safe and secure environment for your shoppers. A secure shopping center is one that attracts customers, keeps them coming back, and brings in new shoppers looking for places to shop. In order to achieve this level of security and safety, many shopping centers employ a private security company regularly or on an as-needed basis. Security guards can provide added security in so many ways. Here’s what you should know about hiring security for your shopping center.

What is a Security Company?

Security companies provide a variety of services related to safety, loss prevention, and risk management. Security guards are the individuals who work for the security company, providing the services that customers hire the security company to provide. In most cases, security companies offer a range of services, including: – Armed guards: These are the security officers who carry a firearm on the job. The nature of the work they do is somewhat different from that of unarmed officers. – Unarmed guards: They are responsible for watching a location, making sure nothing bad happens, and keeping the area safe and secure. They often work as security officers in parking facilities, at events, in hotels, and at other locations. – Loss prevention specialists: These individuals specialize in preventing shoplifting, fraud, and other illegal activities. They also manage shrink, which is the reduction in inventory value due to shoplifting, bad debts, and other loss-causing activities. – Security consulting: This is for clients who need help designing a security program for a particular location. Experts in this area help with policies, procedures, and managing risk.

Hiring Licensed Security Guards

With the number of security companies out there, it can be challenging to choose which one to hire. One of the most important factors to consider is whether the security guards are licensed and registered. Security guards are required to be licensed in most areas of the United States, and most large cities and counties have a website where you can check the status of security officers. If you are hiring a guard or company, make sure they have the appropriate licenses so you know they are legitimate and safe to work around your customers and property. Beyond the licensing, there are many other factors to consider when hiring security guards. The most important is the type of security you need in your shopping center. If you have high-risk areas of the shopping center, you may want officers who specialize in investigating crimes and finding stolen goods. If your concern is more with trespassing, loitering, and noise violations, you may want officers who specialize in that work.

The Importance of Hiring Licensed Guards

There are many reasons why you should hire licensed security guards. First, you can be sure that they have met all the requirements and have the experience and training necessary to do the job well. Second, you can be sure that they have been fingerprinted and have a criminal background check and that you will find everything that is on the license. Third, your customers will appreciate it because they will feel safer in your shopping center. Fourth, it is mandatory by law in many states and cities, so you could be fined if you don’t do it. And anyway, it’s just the right thing to do. Beyond the licensing, you should also make sure that you hire a security company that has experience working in shopping and retail centers. The security officers should know how to handle a variety of situations, have excellent communication skills, and know how to best interact with shoppers.

Types of Security Guards You Can Hire

– Administrative/office security: These guards often focus on the administrative side of security and won’t be out in the field. They may be responsible for managing the guards who do patrol work, monitoring cameras, and other administrative and office tasks. – Patrol officers: These are the security guards who do the work of patrolling the shopping center, parking lots, and other areas where security is needed. You can hire guards who specialize in certain areas, such as commercial fraud, theft, and burglary. – Special event security: These security guards are often needed for very specific events such as concerts, festivals, and other special events. They may also provide off-duty police officers for these events. – Building security specialists: These security guards focus on the security inside your shopping center. They may be responsible for controlling traffic and helping with crowd control during busy times, managing access control systems, and providing assistance to other security guards.

Types of Surveillance That Help With Shopping Center Safety

– Closed-circuit television (CCTV): A CCTV system is a type of surveillance system that uses cameras to view and record activity in a particular area. It is often used in shopping centers, inside and outside of stores, and around other commercial properties. CCTV systems can be monitored live or recorded to capture activity that occurred while the system was off. CCTV systems include a variety of components, such as cameras, monitors, and video recorders. – Security sensors: These can include infrared sensors, pressure mats, and other devices that can be used to detect when people are in an area that they aren’t supposed to be in. They can be used to detect when people are in loading areas where they don’t belong or people who are trying to break into your shopping center or store. – Parking lot security: Parking lots are areas that are often monitored by security, especially those with high loitering or trespassing problems. Parking lot security can include cameras, security lights, and other devices to increase safety and decrease the number of problems in the parking lot.

Security Guard Skills and Behaviors That Are Most Important for Shoppers

There are many skills and behaviors that shoppers value in a security guard. Here are some of the most important. – Attentiveness: This means that the security guard is actively paying attention to his or her surroundings. This person is cognizant of potential problems and is ready to deal with them as they arise. – Vigilance: This refers to the ability to remain alert to potential problems and dangerous situations, even if they seem unlikely. Vigilant security guards are ready to respond quickly to anything that might arise. – Patience: Shoppers often ask security guards questions and request assistance. The best security guards have the patience and professionalism to respond to these requests as quickly as possible while also paying attention to other duties. – Communication skills: When people see a security guard, they want to know they can approach the guard and get help if needed. The best security guards are friendly and approachable while also being professional and controlling situations as needed.

How to Find the Right Security Company and Guards for Your Shopping Center

There are a variety of ways that you can find a security company to hire for your shopping center. Here are some of the most common ways. – Ask for references: Before you hire any security company, ask for references from current or past clients. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any security companies have complaints against them. – Ask for a security proposal: A security proposal outlines the services the company would provide for your shopping center. This will give you a better idea of what the company can offer. – Interview security companies: Once you have proposals from several security companies, it is time to interview them. Ask questions about their company, the employees they hire, and how they would approach the work in your shopping center.

Bottom Line

There are many things to consider when hiring security guards for your shopping center. You want to make sure they are licensed and registered, that they have the skills and attitudes needed to do the job well, and that they come from a reputable company. Once you have these things, you can be sure that your shopping center is as secure as can be.