Local Talent
09-25-2009, 01:31 PM
They say that character, or integrity (2 traits we should have in spades, right?), is "doing the right thing when no one's looking". Well, in our day and age, it's safe to assume that there's always someone looking. If the clients haven't rigged their house with "nanny-cams", the paps are probably filming you during your perimeter checks. If not, terrorists, burglars, or would-be kidnappers may be casing your operation.
Whatever the case may be, smile - you're on CCTV anyway... ;)
Forget Big Brother, we're never alone. And God knows I like my privacy, but in a way, it's "a good thing" (TM?).
Now those who know me and have seen me argue with employers that I didn't want a cam up my [bottom] are thinking I'm being full of it. And to a certain extent I am (I don't need no stinkin' camera!)... :D
But besides the obvious fact that a camera doesn't lie and will catch "bad guys", and/or prove the "good guys" innocence if need be, I think that some of us might fall into complacency too easily w/o this knowledge that eyes are on us at all times.
In fact and for this very reason, I've described the job as "an acting gig" more than once to reinforce the idea that perception is everything.
Case in point: I'm fuzzy on the specifics, but a few years back in Orange County (south of L.A.), an armored transport truck was hit. There was subsequent loss of life AND property.
When the police finally caught up with the suspects, and obtained "roll-back" warrants to raid their residences, they didn't just find the loot... but a pile of videotapes. Turns out that these robbers had carefully planned their hit and filmed several trucks making their rounds. It was instantly obvious to the investigators that the most sloppy, careless, guards had been targetted for attack, while others had been left alone.
So whenever someone lowers their guard in public, they're not just being lame but endangering themselves, their clients, and everyone on their team.
As I often say to newer security personnel: if you're not going to be a stand-up guy on your own, always remember this: there's always someone watching.
The client or your team leader may end up watching you being unprofessional on video, and that could cost you your job. And if that threat isn't bad enough for ya, well, there's always the armored truck story.
Feel free to comment and share your anecdotes, fellas.
Whatever the case may be, smile - you're on CCTV anyway... ;)
Forget Big Brother, we're never alone. And God knows I like my privacy, but in a way, it's "a good thing" (TM?).
Now those who know me and have seen me argue with employers that I didn't want a cam up my [bottom] are thinking I'm being full of it. And to a certain extent I am (I don't need no stinkin' camera!)... :D
But besides the obvious fact that a camera doesn't lie and will catch "bad guys", and/or prove the "good guys" innocence if need be, I think that some of us might fall into complacency too easily w/o this knowledge that eyes are on us at all times.
In fact and for this very reason, I've described the job as "an acting gig" more than once to reinforce the idea that perception is everything.
Case in point: I'm fuzzy on the specifics, but a few years back in Orange County (south of L.A.), an armored transport truck was hit. There was subsequent loss of life AND property.
When the police finally caught up with the suspects, and obtained "roll-back" warrants to raid their residences, they didn't just find the loot... but a pile of videotapes. Turns out that these robbers had carefully planned their hit and filmed several trucks making their rounds. It was instantly obvious to the investigators that the most sloppy, careless, guards had been targetted for attack, while others had been left alone.
So whenever someone lowers their guard in public, they're not just being lame but endangering themselves, their clients, and everyone on their team.
As I often say to newer security personnel: if you're not going to be a stand-up guy on your own, always remember this: there's always someone watching.
The client or your team leader may end up watching you being unprofessional on video, and that could cost you your job. And if that threat isn't bad enough for ya, well, there's always the armored truck story.
Feel free to comment and share your anecdotes, fellas.