Builders Jamaica December - March 2022

safety & security
of efficiency, a second guard can be brought in during
critical hours (rush hour, for instance), enabling one
to respond to calls while the other covers the post.
Patrol Guards
intelligently serve much more than 200 dwelling
units. Beyond this number, a doorman's ability to
distinguish easily between tenants and intruders
breaks down,” which can lead to security lapses.
A solution may be to have a dedicated tenants
entrance and a separate one for visitors, each with
their own security officer. Most modern complexes
utilise electronic access for residents, so the doormen
would only need to screen and monitor visitors.
Stationary Guards
Stationary guards are assigned to specific locations,
such as a lobby, a location between two points of
access, or a centrally located guard house. Their basic
function is to deter anyone who “doesn’t belong”
on the premises. Per the NCHSS, this may include
“enforcing a code of acceptable behavior within the
confines of the complex,” screening entrants “when
their appearance is different from that of the typical
resident,” and responding to emergencies. They are
generally uniformed and may or may not be armed.
If the guard is armed, he or she has the capacity to
apprehend an intruder, which serves as a stronger
deterrent than a typical doorman or unarmed personnel.
A stationary guard may also be utilised in monitoring
a complex’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) system.
This is most effective if the complex's borders and
points of access are secured. The guard can control
all access to the premises using electrical dooropening
switches and an intercom system. This
protects several places through the services of one
man. However, loss of efficiency is the trade-off.
If the officer is stationed in a centrally located
guard house in a development spread over several
blocks or in a housing scheme rather than a single
apartment tower, telephone service or other means
of communication must be installed so he/she has
response capability, if the need arises. To prevent loss
Patrol guards, as the name suggests, move around the
property. They may be assigned to specific routes or
patrol freely. They’re used to cover large areas which
cannot be monitored from a single vantage point. They’re
also expected to respond to emergencies and calls.
Patrol guards are best utilised in low-density or
mixed-housing developments with numerous
pathways and entrances instead of a doorman
or stationary guard. They should be in uniform
and encouraged to patrol openly and frequently.
Reporting Systems
Whether you use a doorman/lobby guard, stationary
guard, or patrolling guard, it’s crucial to have a reporting
system in place for any breaches, incidents, or crimes.
Since these security personnel generally don’t have the
capacity to make arrests, they should have a clear line
of communication with the nearest police station in the
event a situation arises that requires law enforcement.
There should also be a clear line of communication
between the tenants and security personnel and/
or the development’s management if they take note
of any sketchy activities that may not immediately
get the guards’ attention. For example, if a visitor
starts harassing a resident, or if it turns out a resident
is the one involved in less-than-honest activities.
There may even be cases where a security officer
is involved or is negligent on the job, in which the
residents wouldn’t feel safe reporting to another
guard. Such incidents or even minor complaints should
be addressed by the development’s management,
and where necessary, the police brought in.
Despite the presence of security personnel, tenants
should be encouraged to report any suspicious
matters, make recommendations if they believe
improvements are needed, and also form or
participate in tenant patrols or neighbourhood
watches. Their vigilance is important as they have
the most to lose in the event of a dangerous breach.
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