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Workplace Violence Prevention Law

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 21:01:37 GMT

Effective July 1st, 2024: California has enacted a new workplace violence prevention law, SB 553/California Labor Code Section 6401.9 , which requires nearly all California employers to develop and implement a written workplace violence prevention plan.

Some of the Requirements:

Employers are also required to provide annual training to employees and maintain a log of incidents of workplace violence. Employers must immediately report to Cal/OSHA any serious injury or illness or death of an employee, occurring in the place of employment or in connection with any employment. This includes any incidents resulting from workplace violence.

Timeline:

Employers had only until July 1st, 2024, to develop and implement their plan.

In addition, they were required to provide their first round of training as well.

The Training topics included are:

Employer's plan and how employees can obtain a copy of the plan free of charge.
Any corrective measures the employer has taken.
Instructions on how to report any workplace violence incidents or hazards.
Strategies to avoid physical harm.
Workplace Violence, how to seek assistance to prevent or respond.
Employers must also inform employees about the violent incident long and how they can obtain a copy.

Additional Training:

Additional Training is required in the following instances:

If there are any new workplace violence hazards
If there are newly identified/previously unrecognized workplace violence hazards
Or when there are changes to the plan.

Important Considerations:

**Employers must retain training records for at least 1 year.

**It is important to note that this is not legal advice and just a summary of some key elements of the new plan. Please consult with an attorney or the State regarding the full requirements and any questions you may have.

How Security Guards Can Benefit a Gated Community

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 18:35:13 GMT

Living in a gated community is a dream come true for many people. These neighborhoods are beautiful, quiet, and perfect for growing a family. However, a gated community can be susceptible to crime like any other neighborhood. As the manager or owner of a gated community, hiring a team of security guards is one of the best ways to ensure the community remains safe. Below is a discussion of how security guards benefit a gated community.

They Keep Track of Visitors

People in a gated community likely know each other and look out for strangers who might enter the area. While even the keenest neighbor may miss a stranger coming through the gates, a security team will monitor and catch every movement.

An on-site team of guards ensures that each visitor is there for a reason, and visitors will only get past the gate with sufficient identification. They will sign in each visitor, request vehicle registration information from all who park within, and ensure that the drivers adhere to the community guidelines.

They Constantly Patrol the Area

If you employ a team of guards, some team members will be at the community entrances keeping track of the visitors while others will patrol the grounds. Patrol guards are highly beneficial for communities because intruders are less likely to break in when they notice an area being monitored.

Furthermore, security guards usually undergo intensive training to ensure they recognize any suspicious activities and prevent crimes. They can stop anybody who attempts to breach the fence and enforce regulations surrounding issues such as pool use and smoking.

They Provide Real-Time Security

Security guards come in handy during an emergency, as they will arrive at the scene and diffuse the situation promptly. Some situations that require real-time responses include domestic issues, trespassing, littering, vandalism, and theft.

With the timely intervention of security guards, these issues are less likely to become severe. Since security guards are trained in crisis resolution, they understand how to diffuse tense situations, so these situations resolve quickly.

They Provide Effective Access Control

You can use automatic gates and other control access options to ensure security in a gated community. However, unprecedented challenges and flaws might arise with the function of such technological solutions that you may not anticipate.

For example, automatic gates may provide you with a real-time image of the situation, but you cannot address common problems such as tailgating on the spot. Furthermore, security equipment may get damaged from misuse, leaving you with a situation in which you cannot limit access. A security team on-site can easily handle these situations, as they provide an authoritative figure that can mandate rules on the spot.

They Help Raise the Community's Value

The value of gated communities varies greatly depending on different factors, including security. For example, a community with just gates might be valued less than one with gates and a security team.

Potential residents are more likely to consider living in the community with a security team than those with just a gate and are often willing to pay more for security. Having a security team within and outside the community can also help deter crime in the surrounding community, ensuring that the community's value stays up.

If you have considered hiring an onsite security team for your gated community, you are at the right place. At Spear Security, we provide security services for businesses, individuals, and communities. Whether you need a single guard for a night or need a team that provides round-the-clock security services, we can customize a solution for you. Con tact us today for a consultation.

4 Security Tips for Business Owners

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 20:14:37 GMT

As a business owner, you understand why you should protect your business from security threats. Whether you own a retail store, office building, or industrial facility, physical security measures can help prevent theft, vandalism, and other types of criminal activity.

In this blog post, we will discuss four security areas that business owners should cover to protect their business, employees, and customers.

1. Physical and External Security

Protect your business from the outside in. Set up physical security perimeters around your company—such as barrier walls, access-controlled entrance doors, and staffed reception desks to minimize outside threats. Keep track of key assets, such as laptops and mobile credit card readers, to minimize potential losses.

Investigate the criminal activity and metrics of the area and talk to other business owners to get a better idea of how safe it is. Also, create open lines of communication between yourself, police and other people in the community.

Look around your building and see if there are any potential safety risks. This evaluation should include the building's interior and exterior, including entrance points, exits, and other weak spots. After you complete the assessment, make a plan for physical security to deal with any risks you find. This plan should include locks, alarms, and surveillance systems.

2. Controlled Access

Before people can get into network infrastructure and other high-risk areas, they should undergo more physical authentication and approval. Also, keep and secure information systems in rooms with locked doors and windows when no one is around to watch them.

Use full-disk encryption on all laptops and teach all employees only to use them for work. Teach your employees why it is essential to keep these things safe and what could happen if they don't take the necessary steps to keep information assets safe.

3. Emergency Plan and Drills

Have a plan for emergencies to keep your business safe. This emergency response plan should include steps to deal with fires, break-ins, storms, and other kinds of disasters. All employees should know their duties and responsibilities in case of an emergency and receive training on the emergency plan.

Work with any security companies you use and place emergency response equipment in a place where it's easy to find. Lastly, have regular emergency drills to make sure everyone is ready and knows what to do. These drills will help make sure that your employees

4. Light Fixtures and Cameras

Ensure that all the outside parts of your business—like the parking lot, back alleys, and building entrances—are well-lit to help you spot possible threats during dark hours. To protect your business's assets, use lights that can remain on all night or motion sensor fixtures in areas of the building where you stockpile valuable items.

Install cameras both within and outside your warehouse to ensure you can see everything within the warehouse and the perimeter of the building. Cameras can act as a deterrent to potential break-ins and record footage as evidence.

Consider an investment in smart security hardware, such as security cameras with two-way audio and motion-sensing technology and smart locks that you can unlock remotely. Remote video monitoring and surveillance can help the police discover any suspicious activity in real time.

Are you a business owner in Los Angeles, CA, looking for the best security guard services to keep your business safe? Look no further than Spear Security . With our experienced team of former law enforcement and military personnel, Spear Security offers top-notch property protection, company security management, and security services tailored to meet your exact needs. Contact us today and get the peace of mind you deserve.

What To Look For When Hiring a Security Guard Company

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 19:42:11 GMT

Security is an essential requirement for any business or organization. Hiring a security guard company can be an effective way to protect your property and ensure the safety of your employees and customers. However, with so many companies available, how do you find the right one?

Fortunately, several key factors can guide you when selecting a security guard company. Read on to discover some of the factors to keep in mind when hiring a security guard company.

Are the Security Guards Trained and Certified?

A properly trained guard is necessary regardless of the type of service you need or the company you select. The knowledge and experience from training help security personnel respond better to different situations. Therefore, ensure you work with licensed guards who have undergone state-certified security training.

Moreover, if the guard carries a firearm, they must have a firearm permit. Obtaining the firearm permit requires taking a Bureau of Security and Investigative Service (BSIS)-certified firearm permit course and passing the exam.

Does the Company Embrace Technology?

A good security company not only has well-trained guards but also technological capabilities and equipment. Technology plays an important role in securing the environment and is also helpful in assessing the efficiency of security operations.

Companies offer a variety of technology equipment, including radios, cameras, sensors, and scanners. With security technology advancing every day, more equipment is available. Thus, when evaluating a company, find out what kind of technology it offers and whether the guards understand how to use it.

How Customer Service Oriented Is the Company?

You want to find a company that prioritizes people and creates a polite, pleasant atmosphere. When you first contact a security guard company, pay attention to how they engage with you. You can learn a lot about the difficulties you might encounter with the company based on the quality of the replies.

Is the Company Licensed and Insured?

In view of the number of security companies on the market, you should be careful to hire a legitimate company. If you're hiring a security company, ensure that it has the professional licenses it needs to operate legally in your state. Additionally, if you're hiring guards for locations across different states, ensure the company has the proper license for each state.

You should also check the agency's insurance details to ensure they have up-to-date coverage. The security company should carry insurance coverage such as worker's compensation, auto, and general liability. Proper insurance is essential in case an incident occurs among security personnel, such as:

Damage to security equipment
A takedown results in an injury

Legal liability or financial responsibility could fall on you if the company you choose to work with doesn't have up-to-date insurance. Ideally, the company's insurance agent should add your business as an additional insured party.

Is the Company Willing to Accommodate Your Unique Needs?

As every business and individual has different security needs, a good security company must be able to provide tailor-made solutions for each client. For example, the security company should be flexible to work with your schedule, even if it involves varying hours. The more flexible a company is, the better.

Investing in a reputable and reliable security guard company is a smart move that will pay off in the end. With the above factors in mind, you can confidently choose a security guard company that will provide the protection you need.

If you're ready to take the next step by hiring a reputable and reliable security guard company, don't hesitate to contact us at Spear Security today. Our team of experts will provide you with more information about our services and answer any questions.

Common Physical Security Threats for Businesses

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 20:05:43 GMT

Security is among the critical aspects of successful business operations. Unfortunately, many business owners are unaware of the prevalence of physical security threats. Instead, business owners tend to focus more on cyber threats and forget that physical threats are just as common, if not more. This mistake allows criminals to take advantage of businesses with weak physical security.

To protect your business fully and leave no gaps for criminals to exploit, discover the common physical security threats for businesses and how to prevent them.

Tailgating

Tailgating is a security breach where an unauthorized person follows an authorized individual into a secured area. The intruder doesn't need to go through the hassle of breaking in since they can piggyback on the authorized individual.

For example, an employee may forget to close and lock the door after they've entered the building. An intruder can easily take advantage of this mistake and follow the employee in. Once the intruder is inside, they can roam around undetected. Several strategies can help you prevent tailgating, as follows.

Educate Employees on the Importance of Physical Security

Many times, employees are the reason why tailgating occurs. Unfortunately, the workers may forget to close and lock doors. Educate your employees on the importance of physical security. Remind the employees to close and lock doors after entering or exiting the building.

Invest in Visitor Badges

If your business receives visitors frequently, invest in visitor badges. Give the badges to authorized individuals who can escort visitors inside the building. The badges help you track who's supposed to be inside the building.

Vandalism

Vandalism occurs when someone intentionally damages property. Businesses can become targets of vandalism for various reasons, such as political disagreements, competition, or personal grudges.

Consequently, vandalism can lead to costly repairs and negatively affect your business's reputation. To prevent vandalism, install surveillance cameras and get vandal-proof equipment. Additionally, hire security guards to watch over the surveillance cameras. This trick ensures that the security guards can see crimes as they happen in real-time and take the necessary measures.

Burglary

Burglary is the unlawful entry into a building with the intent to commit a crime, such as theft. Burglars typically target unoccupied businesses during off-hours, such as at night or on weekends. The burglars may break into the business through windows, doors, or by cutting holes in the roof.

Investing in an alarm system is the trick to minimizing the chances of a burglary. Additionally, have a security guard on duty during off-hours. Finally, ensure that your building is well-lit and visible from the street. These measures will make it harder for burglars to break into your business undetected.

Document Theft

Document theft is the unauthorized taking of confidential or proprietary information. The information can be in physical or electronic form. Businesses often store a lot of confidential information, which makes the premises susceptible to document theft.

An employee may accidentally leave company documents in a public place. An intruder may also break into the business premises to steal hard copies of documents. To prevent document theft, have a policy that requires employees to properly store and secure company documents.

The above threats can quickly spiral out of control and become costly if you do not prevent or mitigate the risks on time. Use physical security measures to protect your business from these threats. While you have numerous security options, very few beat the efficiency of security guards. The guards ensure timely threat mitigation before any harm occurs.

You can trust us at Spear Security to provide unarmed security guards to watch over your company. We aim to offer maximum protection on all your business valuables, so you can have peace of mind when in and out of your premises. Contact us for a consultation.

5 Types of Security Guards

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 23:46:06 GMT

Security is becoming more of a necessity every day in today's world. One of the best ways to enhance security is by hiring well trained and professional security guards.

In recent years, the security guard industry has significantly grown. Security Officers have various levels of training, and this article highlights five types of security guards in the industry.

1. Armed Security Guards

Armed security guards carry firearms or other lethal weapons. Depending on the level of the threat or the value of property, armed security officers may be the better option.

Since armed security guards carry firearms, they must undergo additional training. During the training sessions, the guards learn how to use the weapons responsibly to avoid causing unnecessary accidents, and the local firearm laws.

Hiring an armed security guard can be relatively expensive. However, hiring these professionals may be necessary depending on the level of the threat.

2. Unarmed Guards

Unarmed security guards are guards who do not carry firearms or other weapons during work.

Although these security guards are unarmed, this does not mean that their services are less effective. A professional well trained security officer can be an excellent and effective deterrent.

Generally, hiring an unarmed security guard is less expensive compared to hiring their armed counterparts. Depending on your level of threat, unarmed security guards may be the best option.

3. Residential Guards

Residential burglaries are on the rise, often resulting in theft and the potential for harm to the individuals present. As a result, the hiring of residential security guards have increased significantly over the years.

Residential guards duties can consist of access control, patrolling the property and or neighborhood, and often times, they are the first responders.

4. Event Guards

Whenever large crowds gather, security may become necessary. People usually hire security guards when they hold large events, including concerts, sporting events, or even conferences. These professionals are trained to coordinate with other event staff and guards to ensure the area is secure.

Hiring event security guards offers several advantages. First, these professionals can assist with vehicle and pedestrian traffic control.. These guards also serve as a great deterrent with their physical presence.

Often, event security guards wear uniforms so people can easily spot them unless the guards work undercover.

5. Bodyguards

Bodyguards, also known as Executive Protection Specialists, are security officers tasked with offering security to one person or family. Executive Protection Specialists usually provide security to high-profile individuals, celebrities, dignitaries, and politicians. Some renowned business individuals also hire bodyguards to protect them.

Executive Protection Specialists typically undergo rigorous training on firearm usage, evasive driving, and self defense. They are also trained to maintain client relationships, quickly assess situations and to make split second decisions.

If you require any of the services mentioned above, Spear Security can help. Reach out to us today to learn more about the security services we offer. We look forward to helping you.

Uniformed or Non-Uniformed Security Officers — What's Right for You?

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 21:25:57 GMT

The addition of professional security officers protects your business, customers, and employees. But should you work with uniformed security services or with non-uniformed suit-and-tie security officers? The answer depends on many factors, including your goals and the types of challenges you face. Here are some goals many businesses have and what type of security arrangements often fit best.

Visible Deterrence

Obviously, a uniformed security officer is more easily noticed than one just in a suit. So if your goal is to engage a very visible deterrent to crime, uniformed guards are usually the right approach.

They are a popular option for places where many customers and employees come and go — such as theaters, retail stores, large companies, and busy offices — and where people do not always know one another well. Uniforms are also a good idea if you have already had instances of crimes like vandalism or shoplifting in your business or in the neighborhood. You mark yourself as a less tempting target.

Unobtrusive Presence

Not every security situation calls for an obvious presence. For example, if your executives or VIP guests have specialized security needs, you may not want to advertise these to the world. If employees and customers are not used to seeing a security presence, they may be disconcerted if uniforms suddenly appear. In this case, a more subtle approach could keep everyone more relaxed.

Do you worry that adding long-term uniformed security services might be distracting or not fit the image you want for your business? Then look into the quieter and less obtrusive option.

Crowd Control

When it comes to telling people what to do and where to go, a uniform is best. People see a uniform and are more likely to respond quickly and affirmatively to directions. The uniform stands out and identifies the individual as someone with authorization to speak for the company or who knows the location. This is a big help if there is an emergency and people are confused or panicked.

So, even if you use subtle security in most instances, you may want to add uniformed guards for things like trade shows or conventions, corporate events, big sales, holiday shopping, or recruitment drives.

Going Upscale

A security officer with quality training and skills is a professional — no matter what their security attire is. They will act responsibly, provide many of the same services, and help in similar emergencies.

However, some people have ingrained opinions about the quality of both uniformed and suited security. They may feel that uniformed officers are less upscale than executive security personnel in dark suits and with quiet demeanors. A company that wants to establish or grow a more high-end reputation and clientele might opt for the latter rather than the standard security options for brand-building.

Where to Learn More

Which type of security personnel is right for your business? Which goals should take precedence in decision-making? And could you benefit from hiring a mix of officers for different needs? Start by learning more about both options.

Spear Security is ready to help. We provide a range of services tailored to your particular needs. Call to get answers to your questions or arrange a free consultation. You may also get in touch with us online via our form or through email .

We will be happy to go over any specific requirements or details you have regarding your security needs. That way, we can better serve you. You deserve the best security professionals, and Spear Security wants to ensure that. Let us know how we can specifically help you, whether you want uniformed or suited security officers.

7 Benefits of Hiring Security Officers for Your Business

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 17:58:49 GMT

Business premises are frequently the targets of vandalism, theft, and other crimes. These illegal activities can interrupt normal business flow, lead to losses, and hurt your business's reputation. As a result, most business owners choose to hire security guards.

Read on to discover why you should hire security officers to guard your business.

1. Prevent Crime

The mere presence of guards can deter criminals from your business premises. And if a criminal decides to commit a crime at your business premises anyway, the security guard has the expertise to respond appropriately.

Security guards undergo extensive training on how to handle emergencies and stop crimes.

2. Boost Parking Lot Safety

Clients and staff may be afraid to use your parking lot, especially if the lighting is insufficient. Their fears are legitimate since criminals tend to strike in the dark and unattended areas. You can hire security guards to make your parking lot more secure. The security guards will conduct regular patrols in the parking lot to deter criminals and reassure customers.

3. Boost Customer Service

Security personnel can do customer service duties as well. Some of these duties include receptionist and front desk tasks. The guards can also manage access to specific areas of the building.

Security guards have multiple interactions with clients. For example, the guards can show customers where to find specific items in the store. Some guards even escort clients to the parking lot at night. Thus, you should hire security personnel with customer service skills.

4. Save Money and Prevent Property Loss

You will spend money when you hire security guards. However, the expenditure on security may eventually lead to money savings.

Security guards protect your business from costly damages and subsequent lawsuits. For instance, theft and vandalism can cause massive losses to your business and reduce profit margins. Such losses can be minimal or non-existent if you have security guards around.

5. Secure Strikes

Strikes or demonstrations could occur at your place of business or in front of your home.

The presence of security guards serve as a great deterrent. The security guards can prevent injuries to your customers and other employees during the strike. The guards can also deter criminals from taking advantage of the strike to steal products from your store.

6. Guarantee Quick Response

You may want to rely on the local authorities to provide security in case of an altercation at your business premises. But such a plan cannot guarantee prompt response times. If the police are far away or too busy, they may take time to reach your business premises.

On the other hand, security guards are always at your business premises. The guards will respond at a moment's notice to any security problems. Hence, you don't have to worry about things getting out of hand due to delayed security.

7. Get Professional Security Services

Investing in security guards has a lot of benefits for your business, so you should hire security personnel with diverse skills. You can find these security guards at Spear Security. Our professional security personnel provides a wide range of services to businesses. Reach out to us today to secure your business.