The Changing Role of the Security Guard during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Los Angeles

During the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, all over the world, security guards are seeing their roles change as they have been enlisted to assist the community and the government in combating the COVID-19 in what may once have been seen as non-traditional security roles.

During this unprecedented time, security firms in the Los Angeles are asking their teams to pivot. From planning the logistics and security for the world’s largest critical care units for treating patients with coronavirus, to performing free local patrols to client premises during the lockdown to volunteering to assist the elderly, vulnerable or ‘at risk’ individuals who are unable to leave their homes, security companies of all sizes are stepping up to the challenge. 

In a few short weeks, the sight of a security guard outside stores has become commonplace to ensure the safety of shoppers, limit the number of people who can enter a shop at any one time, and ensure social, or physical, distancing is maintained in stores. Prior to COVID-19, the retail guarding focus was traditionally aimed towards loss prevention and employee safety, although still an issue, it is no longer its sole focus. 

Citiguard  is now providing security personnel to hundreds of supermarkets across the country to assist with crowd management, ensuring social distancing is respected, and making sure the elderly, and key workers get access to their shopping hour. 

Patrolling, key-holding, incident assistance, high-risk product protection to prevent theft, and worker welfare checking are only a few of the roles security guards routinely fill. But with most high streets and retail parks now shuttered, there has also been an increase in the need for mobile patrols in the Los Angeles to ensure the security of empty and closed commercial, retail, or office premises  and additional security fire watch patrols.

Although drastic changes have been made to the market, such as removing all seating and changing to takeout options only to keep customers safe, the market will have security guards screening people before they go in and keeping track of numbers to control crowds. 

Fortunately, some security companies were already equipped to meet the new challenges posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus before its outbreak. Thanks to new and improving security software, clients can have clear visibility into what’s happening at a vacant site through their own client portals. If an incident should occur, instant notifications are also sent and received by the appropriate person. Finally, the head office can communicate up-to-date COVID-19 (or other) information directly with teams on sites via message boards. If instructions change, information can be sent through updated post orders, and verified if the new instructions are acknowledged. It is precisely this kind of future-proof technology that is helping keep security guards safe as they work to keep the world a safer place. By adopting readily-available technology such as cloud applications that are optimised via cellular networks, security firms can be more efficient and increase the value of the service that they provide. 

Citiguard security guards may not be recognized as often as front line heroes like the medical personnel, security guards are key workers, working behind the scenes to support critical infrastructure. Please don’t forget to recognize these outstanding women and men and the crucial work they are doing to keep everyone safe and secure on social media using front line security to show them we care.

Our team works hard every day to assure the security and safety of our clients and their properties! 

Contact: 800-613-5903 

WWW.CITIGUARDINC.COM 

‌ ‌

Security Guard Services

HOME |INDUSTRIES | SERVICES | EMPLOYMENT| SAFELIST |FAQS