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Keeping Your Property Secure
Bryon A . Bayer , vice president of operations at PalAmerican Security , says the past year has required a lot of flexibility and change at his company , which provides safety and security services ranging from guards to security consulting for industries all over the country .
As a result of the pandemic , PalAmerican officers are taking a more prominent role at retail establishments , commercial facilities , healthcare operations and other locations that have a high volume of people coming through the door each day . “ We ’ re seeing the screening for COVID handled by security personnel ,” Bayer says . “ We ’ ll take temperatures at the door , check IDs and make sure everybody is able to go into work .”
Technology is also playing a greater role in providing solutions , both at active sites and properties that are largely empty while employees work from home .
“ We ’ ve pivoted in terms of changing up our security program , reducing the cost for the client but not reducing the level of security for them ,” says Michael Magpusao , Northern California business development manager for Securitas . “ Our country is now generally more comfortable with technology . What it means for our business is we ’ re seeing ... more interest in cameras .”
He says the company ’ s remote guarding program uses smart cameras with analytics that pick up on unusual activity and alert a live officer on the other end . Depending on the situation , the
officer can use speakers built into the system to tell a trespasser to move on or can quickly send law enforcement or a mobile patrol officer to investigate .
Thermal technology is also increasing in popularity because it can do a better job detecting a human presence than regular cameras . Securitas is even using thermal cameras at some access points to detect elevated skin temperatures that could indicate the presence of COVID-19 .
To keep your property as secure as possible and make the most of your tax dollars , Bayer recommends developing a relationship with local law enforcement . If additional risk mitigation is necessary , he suggests looking to your insurance company and then to security professionals to see how to get the best service for your budget .
Magpusao believes that the best solution is often a combination of two or more services , such as using an on-site officer during the day and cameras at night . The presence of any of these security features can keep people off your property and , ultimately , save you money .
“ You ’ ll reduce whatever costs you ’ re going to pay in terms of vandalism ,” Magpusao says . “ Vandals will move on . They have many choices out there — there are more sites that are not secure than are secure .”
— Ken Smith
Building Products , LLC
April 2021 | comstocksmag . com 79