There are many layers to ensuring your property–and people–are safe and secure. A security patrol is a service that many protection agencies offer. You’ve seen them before, too. Sometimes the security professionals are on foot, walking around a property. Other times, they may be in a marked car and patrolling from the street. You can even find them, often in campus settings, patrolling from golf carts. Some sites are a blend of all three!
In certain cases, a security patrol will be the best tactic you can use to secure your site. So, how do you know if hiring a patrol service is right for you? In this article, we break down the benefits of hiring a patrol service. We will also look at some use cases where patrol services have proven to be very effective.
Some criminals don’t do any planning, and follow their impulses in a spur-of-the-moment choice. But many will at least do a little bit of scouting, even if it’s just becoming familiar with a location that catches their eye. What they generally look for is a low-risk environment that has the promise of big rewards.
Employing a regular security patrol service is noticeable. Marked cars and uniformed security professionals are a sign that your property is going to be hard to mess with. Part of the point of having a patrol is to have it visible so that it acts as a deterrent. Marked cars or visible security walking the site significantly raises the stakes for criminals. It’s a lot safer, and easier, for them to vandalize or steal from a site where there is no one around.
If a crime does happen on your property, having a security patrol increases the chance to stop it while in progress. If it has already occurred, the discovery of a misdeed will lead to a quicker response time by the authorities. The sooner the police arrive, the greater the chances that they will catch the perpetrators and get your property returned.
Security Patrols can also check the physical condition of a property. They can monitor for fire on sites that don’t have automatic systems in place. Should flooding or high winds damage a property, they can quickly alert the person responsible for arranging repairs. A security patrol allows you to have eyes and ears on your site when no one else is around.
Being visible is an important aspect of patrol. However, security professionals must be well-trained and diligently perform their duties to be effective. That training is where they learn what to look for and begin to hone their observational skills. Once out on a patrol job, there are three basic things that they are focused on.
It seems obvious, but it’s a very important task. Thieves and vandals need a way in. If doors and gates aren’t watched, they provide an opportunity for criminal activity. A good patrol route will involve checking all the obvious access points. They also keep a watchful eye on fences and boundary walls.
A well-trained security professional is looking for other things as well. They are also on the lookout for people who look out of place or seem to be hanging around with no purpose. They are watching for suspicious bags, boxes, and newly broken windows which are all indicators of a potential criminal threat.
Trouble usually comes from people, and those people often give away what they mean to cause trouble. Signs of substance abuse should cause your patrol service to take note. Also, agitated and threatening behavior should send up red flags.
Ultimately, people’s health and well-being are more important than property. A watchful security patrol should always be thinking about the safety of people in the area. They can intervene before situations escalate by noticing problems brewing before they happen.
Fires, medical emergencies, and crimes in progress are just a few things that can happen on a site. Security professionals tasked with patrol duties should train to handle these situations. They should have a plan in place that allows them to react efficiently to ensure the safety of any people around while minimizing any loss of property.
The short answer is nearly everyone who has property! Below we will take a quick look at scenarios where patrol services will significantly enhance security.
Security Patrols in residential areas are a great way to reduce vandalism and theft. Regular patrol routes with random timing make it a lot harder for thieves to target vehicles and houses. Patrols are also on the lookout for fires, water main breaks, or any other potential disasters. They can perform welfare checks on residents as well should the need arise.
By nature, many industrial sites have a large footprint with many points of access. A mobile patrol will be able to monitor these areas, while also providing a safer parking area on site for employees and visitors. Regular examination of enclosure walls and fencing along with their visible presence will minimize opportunities for vandals to strike the buildings.
After-hours patrol services provide a real deterrent to breaking and entering establishments once the staff has gone home. These types of properties can also benefit from patrols during working hours. Security Patrols can keep a watchful eye on people in and around your property and work to identify any potential troublemakers. De-escalation and prevention techniques will allow you to attract more customers and clients because your space will feel safer.
These are the classic areas for patrol. Temporary fencing surrounding a sprawling area is an inviting target. Inside the perimeter, there are often high-value tools, supplies, and equipment. Not to mention, lots of places to hide. Patrol services here will know the weak points and where to watch. Their presence will also work as a deterrent, and they will be able to react quickly to any suspicious activity.
Once you determine that you can benefit from a patrol service, how do you know how to hire the right one? You should look for security companies that have a lot of experience and provide patrol services for several clients. You should ask them about their training plan for their people. If budget is a concern, you can also ask them if there is a way to combine your needs with another client. By sharing services, you can reduce your costs while still receiving the protection you need.
At KT Protection Services, our ownership has a combined 60+ years of experience in the security industry. We have made, and continue to make, investments in our patrol services. We also provide our security professionals with training specific to the type of service they provide. If you’d like to learn more about what we can offer within the Hawaiian islands, reach out to us here. We can do anything from providing a baseline quote to setting up a walkthrough and developing a detailed plan.
Look us up today, and see the difference a local 5-star Hawaiian security company can make for your security needs.