We live in unprecedented times. The pandemic created new rules for public safety. Security guards continue being tasked with ensuring those rules are followed. The recent looting and vandalism (continuing, but thankfully, on a smaller scale) means security guards are now stepping into an additional role—this time to protect property during a time of unrest.

COVID-19 Safety. Although COVID-19 safety has taken a back seat to other pressing issues, health guidelines are still expected to be followed. And, with the concern that a second wave of infections could be on its way, safety precautions will stay in place for the foreseeable future.

Businesses often don’t have the extra staff to check all customers and visitors for virus symptoms. That’s where security guards are playing an important role. They are stationed at entrances to retail businesses, restaurants, hospitals and office buildings, screening those who enter by asking questions and taking temperatures. They also monitor the number of people entering and exiting so a building won’t reach capacity.

In many areas, wearing masks in public is a requirement. Guards are on the lookout for those who try to enter a building mask-less. If someone doesn’t have a mask, guards will typically provide one. If an individual refuses to wear a mask, guards will deny entry.

Protecting Property. While it appears that the worst of the looting and vandalism is over, stores still need to be protected to prevent further theft. Unattended, even boarded stores, are an invitation to criminals to steal. Retail stores are adding security guards to keep away criminals. If a store is already looted, guards are assigned to keep more looters from taking what’s left.

As we’ve seen, the cover of darkness is when criminals storm their way into stores, hoping that police are too busy elsewhere to stop them. Security guards are being deployed to protect high-end retailers. Even mom-and-pop stores are finding that hiring security guards until the unrest is over is worth the expense to prevent the store’s possible destruction.

To request a security quote for security guard services in California, give Access Control Security a call at (877) 482-7324 or go to https://accesscontrolsecurity.com/quote-request to get a quote.