Blogpost

The Importance of Security Guards in Gated Communities

Security-Guards-in-Apartment-Complex

Gated communities are some of the nicest places to live. For many residents, it is about peace of mind. But gated communities require maintenance. Residents who live in these exclusive neighborhoods want an environment which is safe, aesthetically pleasing and functional. Many non-gated communities are like that already. To ensure that they remain lovely inviting places to live it can be better to hire help. It is much easier to maintain the environment to exact specifications if it is neatly enclosed. Securing all of these things require controlling who enters and exits the community.

That’s where a professional security team comes in.

Gated Community Specifics

When you hire an officer for gated community work it is very important to ensure the person is properly trained to that unique environment. While protected by gates, first and foremost gated communities are like any other area, residential communities with a focus on peace, calm and a good life for their residents. None of the security measures put in place to protect residents can be intrusive or in any way intrude into the residents’ sense of calm.

In addition to securing access and preventing criminals from infiltrating, security will liaise with other aspects of the community. There may be street cleaners, landscapers, maintenance crews and other staff regularly working in the community. Maintaining good relationships with other staff is important to minimize friction and keep updated on who is authorized to be in the area at any given time.

Make Technology Work For You

Proper access control is essential to gated communities. For most, it’s the reason they were established that way. Gated communities have a set entrance and exit point which must be monitored at all times. Guards most know the mechanics of operating the gate system as well as how to effectively screen who enters and exits. Many communities have punch codes, others use access cards or discreet badges on the vehicles. Your officer must be familiar with the latest systems so they can smoothly and efficiently control traffic flow.

Gated communities will also often have surveillance systems, usually monitored from a central control panel. Security officers will need to be familiar with how to quickly toggle between different cameras and zoom in when appropriate. Easily accessing the recordings and a proper filing system is also very important. Well trained guards will know how to use a range of systems so they can easily and swiftly adapt to the specifics of the individual gated community.

Some gated communities may have outdated systems leading to inefficiencies and a lacklustre user experience. In such cases a properly qualified security officer at a reputable agency like Ranger Guard will be able to recommend suitable upgrades to keep your community safe.

Security With Courtesy

More than at many other roles, security officers in gated communities are public facing. They will be talking to members of the public on a daily basis. Saying hello, remembering residents’ names and little details about their lives is vital. Residents want to be treated well. They want a security experience which makes them feel valued and cared about, as well as protected.

Guards in these roles have to take time out of their schedule to speak personally with residents and listen to their security concerns. They also need to pay attention to compliments, light joking and polite conversation. Under no circumstances should officers be drawn into conversations around politics, religion or anything that could make a resident feel uncomfortable.

The Golden Years

A gated retirement community has its own needs. Access paths need to be larger, and more care taken with helping residents with mobility. Easy access for medical staff becomes necessary. A professional security officer may need to assist carers or medics with access to a particular house. Equally they may need to manage deliveries or visits from relatives.

It is very important that guards remain flexible, easy going and kind. Retirement communities need a particular focus on good manners in addition to security details.

Keeping Residences Safe

A properly maintained schedule will make sure that the community is guarded at all times. Afternoon and night shifts will differ in roles from the morning, when more people will be entering and exiting. For night shifts in particular, preventing intruders is essential. There is no worse feeling for residents of a gated community than the thought that someone has broken through their carefully maintained walls in the dead of night. In the event of an incident trained guards need to know how to escort someone from the premises, or if necessary engage physically until the police arrive. During the day typically security will work in teams, with some officers controlling the central access point, while others patrol the grounds.

Ranger Guard focuses on quality in its officers, making sure personnel are well groomed, polite and present a professional image at all times. Combined with top-tier training in physical security practices and the latest technology, Ranger Guard has the skills and experience to keep your gated community safe.