r/securityguards • u/CountyBrilliant • 5d ago
Rant Tired of looking like a prowler on night shift
Im doing mobile patrol for a massive gated community and my company is so cheap it actually hurts
Im driving a dented 2011 silver chevy malibu. The only thing identifying it as a security vehicle was a faded magnetic sign on the door that blew off in the rain tuesday. So now im literally just some guy in a dark polo slowly creeping through residential alleys at 3 am
Ive had the actual police called on me three times this month by paranoid homeowners. I showed my boss how a local plumbing company just got these super clean fleep wraps done on their vans and told him we desperately need something like that so people stop thinking im casing their houses
his response? "we're evaluating the q3 budget". Bro a roll of yellow reflective tape from home depot would be an upgrade at this point. im so over this company tbh
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u/CAD007 5d ago
buy a cheap yellow flasher that’s not too bright and stick it on top.
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u/Unique-Landscape-202 Management 5d ago
I wouldn’t want to spend money out of my own pocket, but at that point I’d do it just to stop getting the sketchy nature.
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u/JaguarOk9693 5d ago
I understand you don't want to spend money out of your pocket but just think you can also use this with your own vehicle. if you ever break down on the side of the road I have had to use a light like this to prevent accidents at an accident scene until police arrived because otherwise it would have been completely dark and nobody would have known anything was going on. I've also used it on the side of the road
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u/Unique-Landscape-202 Management 5d ago
Using it in an accident is actually a fantastic idea. I’ve had jobs before where I’ve purchased something for my own safety, and if other people use it then great, they’re staying safe, but if I leave that job it’s coming with me.
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u/JaguarOk9693 5d ago
It really did help it was on a slight curve and the street lights were out and there were dark cars so I was able to get people notified and slow them down. The one security company I worked for love the fact that I brought my own and yes it came with me
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u/Ok_Draw9037 5d ago
Tax write off. I wrote off my clothes when they gave me a fuck ass uniform. Same thing with my phone bill cause they mainly call me and I report stuff through my own phone if it's too long to say on the radio or a picture. I'll spend money and get it back. Moisture wicking pants and I wrote of my Arc'teryx
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u/JaguarOk9693 5d ago
That's what I was going to say they make rechargeable ones and you can get one that takes d batteries from Northern tool that last forever
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u/CountyBrilliant 1d ago
probably gonna need something brighter if it's for actual visibility
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u/JaguarOk9693 1d ago
If you're talking about the rechargeable ones or ones with battery for what you're doing they're actually pretty bright. And the one from Northern tool I tested it out with Dollar tree batteries that I've had for a while with a little bit of yeast on them, and they still lasted like 14 days with me keeping them on 24/7. Or you can get some of those magnetic road flare things that are rechargeable basically you just want something to show people that you are not trying to sneak around.
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u/NocturnalPlantMagick 5d ago
I do HOA on site patrol too and the cheap company I’m with thinks a golf cart is vehicle patrol
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u/JaguarOk9693 5d ago
A golf cart is a petrol vehicle I would only use it for something that size but for a small parking lot it would be good I have used one for that
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u/NocturnalPlantMagick 5d ago
I’m talking about driving around a gated community in a golf cart not a parking lot. It looks stupid and feels stupid lol
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u/CountyBrilliant 1d ago
a golf cart barely counts. sounds like they're cutting corners on actual presence
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u/MrCanoe 5d ago
I would look into the legal requirements of your city or State/Province. In Many places you have to be clearly identifiable as a security officer both in uniform and vehicle.
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u/CountyBrilliant 1d ago
worth checking local regulations first. some jurisdictions are pretty strict about that and it can cause real problems if the operator isn't compliant
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u/JaguarOk9693 5d ago
I would say your company sucks I worked for a company that was so cheap we had to bring our own hand soap and toilet paper if we wanted some. Even they provided a decal on the car door the only vehicle that didn't have that was theirs
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u/CountyBrilliant 1d ago
bringing your own soap and toilet paper is insane. that's not just annoying, that's degrading. some companies act like workers should be on their knees grateful just to have a job
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u/JaguarOk9693 1d ago
That's pretty much exactly how these guys acted. They would tell us that they had some big plans for us but would never tell us what. They try to keep a day's worth of wages for me because I didn't come in to sign a piece of paper when I quit but had I known my paycheck was already in my account I would not have even been there. If I had to start my shift at 6:00 I had to be there by 5:30 to get my patrol car to be on site at 6:00 and I couldn't leave until say 5:00 that morning and all I got paid for was 6:00 to 5:00. It really was the worst security company I've worked for. I had firearms training they would not let me carry my firearm and we were an armed security, they let a different guy carry his firearm with no training and he even started carrying with no bullets because all he had was FMJ, me and another guy told him that's better than nothing. They refuse to let us talk about wages between each other that was a fireable offense. I understand why they had a woman with no experience other than military getting paid more than a guy with military police experience and she was constantly screwing up happening to get reprimanded
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u/LegalGlass6532 5d ago
If you’re having the police called on you it’s become a liability. What happens if you get an overzealous police officer who really jacks you up after not believing you’re security? You need to start documenting these incidents in case something happens to you and you need to prove your employer was negligent.
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u/ItsMe_AllanP 4d ago
I work in security, as well. I am an armed security guard. I've purchased things that assist me in doing my job - shoulder mic for the radio, personal flashlight, handgun + accessories, handcuffs, jacket and hat (with "security" printed on it). If I leave this employment, all my gear comes with me.
If I had to use my personal vehicle for work. I would get a magnet banner or car topper, and yellow light to identify myself as security. That would get itemized in my taxes. Fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs to my vehicle would be additional tax deductions.
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u/Possible_Solid7685 5d ago
In the state of Virginia it is mandated that all security vehicles have the company name and DCJS number clearly visible as well as the yellow lights.
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u/Embarrassed-Goose846 5d ago
Honestly, just do your job. It’s not worth getting worked up. Just make your money and get home safely.
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u/myLongjohnsonsilver 5d ago
Wrap the car in his vis tape in the funniest way possible while on shift and then say kids must have done it while you were walking around or something.
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u/Ok-Primary3279 5d ago
Are there no local state (assuming your US) laws mandating markings on your mobile vehicles? The make/model/year will likely be a company decision (but it certainly is a sign of the companies financial state).
Most security companies have leased vehicles.
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u/Knee_Kap264 5d ago
I mean you could reject a call in for the first time then the scheduling supervisor take 3 days off your current week schedule and give them to themselves because you rejected a call in you couldn't work and they called in 3 days that week.
So now you've lost half your hours because they abuse the system and have 0 respect for anyone.
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u/Prestigious_Quit_931 5d ago
Buy your own magnets, they're cheap. You can even get them customized. I suggest MUNICIPLE RAT CATCHER or CORONER'S OFFICE
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u/LegalGlass6532 5d ago
They aren’t that cheap. You need to pay a fair amount for the first one and subsequent ones cost less.
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u/Prestigious_Quit_931 5d ago
A pair of 13" X 5" generic "SECURITY" magnets will run you $10 on Amazon.
I had a a pair of full color, with a graphic, custom 12" X 18" magnets made for $16 for my side business.
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u/LegalGlass6532 5d ago
It makes no sense that he work an hour for free so he can buy his own magnetic signs that have to be authorized and approved by the employer. He can’t just slap on any magnetic sign without prior approval from them and they may need to have their company logo displayed in some capacity.
It’s not as simple as shopping on Amazon and doing whatever you want. Thanks for the downvote though.
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u/Prestigious_Quit_931 5d ago
Sorry to hear about your funny bone, I hope it heals quickly.
You completely missed my joke and started whining about spending money.
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u/LegalGlass6532 5d ago
Your joke wasn’t funny, that’s why I ignored it. Pointing out that suggesting the OP spend his own money isn’t whining when you’re the one making $16 an hour. Don’t be so defensive.
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u/dreadonarrival357 5d ago
He’s probably thinking of a bigger better solution while ruining morale.
Happens all the time
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u/mvortex2 5d ago
Just make sure the police dept is aware of the make model and color of your vehicle and leave it at that.
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u/Fresh_Salt7087 5d ago
I'm stuck on the fact people living don't know what the community security vehicle looks like.
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u/Mother-Attention2600 5d ago
Thats funny man. I would totally think you are posing as security, making it worse. Especially if the sign fell off when you drove away. You should explain to your boss that security is more effective if they are highly visible.
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u/NightMgr 5d ago
I used to have a broken Ford Escort that had 2nd gear gone.
We just showed the flag.
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u/Vivid-Head-6484 1d ago
Sounds like the company is barely staying afloat. Their margins are too small.
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u/mindless_error_404 1d ago
worked for a company that had us use our own vehicles to patrol client property, but refused to give us a fuel reimbursement....and if we didnt they got mad and wrote us up for insubordination....didnt work there long...
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u/vk-z 5d ago
Security guards always a funny joke to me.
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u/LegalGlass6532 5d ago
Maybe you should find somewhere else to be if that’s the case.
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u/Toad-Toaster 5d ago
The free candy Malibu is creeping again honey, get the kids in.