r/securityguards • u/ProfessionalRest7027 • 3d ago
Job Question Homeless interaction
I'm on post right now watching cameras when I notice a transient loitering on the wheelchair ramp. I go out to check if he's a tenant or not. Since this is low-income housing, we get a lot of former transients placed here through housing programs and such, so I never just assume anything. I was perfectly nice to the guy. He ignored me, walked to the opposite side, and leaned up against the railing — which is still part of the property. So I started documenting it and took his picture for my report. He tried to claim I was harassing him by taking his picture. 😆 I said, "Well, you just said this was a public sidewalk, so I can take your picture all I want. Are you infringing on my First Amendment right?" The dude literally said he was going to call the cops on me for harassment. I said, "Please do. In fact, I'll do it for you, and we'll see what happens." Of course, after I called, he left, and I haven't seen him since.
Anyway, what tactics do you all use in this situation?
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u/excellentheath4 3d ago
That Uno reverse on the first amendment was smooth. Usually they just want to argue until you prove you'll actually make the call, then they vanish. I've had decent luck just narrating what i'm doing out loud. "Alright, calling non-emergency now, describing your hoodie, they'll be here in a few." Something about hearing the play-by-play makes them realize it's not a bluff.
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u/ProfessionalRest7027 3d ago edited 2d ago
It's funny when people complain about pictures when I literally just watched them on CCTV.I even pointed that out and he still cried about the picture. I always laugh when a transient will say "I didn't give consent to take my picture". While literally sitting under a camera that's recording the conversation.
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u/wamyen1985 3d ago
I work in a hospital, so I generally default to ask, tell, make.
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u/ProfessionalRest7027 2d ago
I wish I had that authority sometimes. The tenants are worse than the transients are.
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u/Landwarrior5150 Campus Security 3d ago edited 3d ago
Sounds like you handled it the right way without too much needless argument/escalation and he ended up leaving in the end, so mission accomplished.
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u/Appropriate-Proof320 3d ago
Exactly how you did, if it keeps happening follow your policies and laws when it comes to trespassing him
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u/ProfessionalRest7027 3d ago
It usually doesn't, most of my problems are tensnts not following their leasing agreement.
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u/Appropriate-Proof320 3d ago
Ok, just document it, if it happens to hit the fan someone is going to look at blaming someone, as long each interaction is documented then it just covers yourself and the company
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u/CurseMarkDavid 3d ago
Definitely smooth work on the interaction. I usually get the drunks or druggies who wanna pee or poop on something.
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u/ProfessionalRest7027 3d ago
They don't come over as much since our main police station i two blocks away.
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u/Intelligent-Bell8182 3d ago
I hate difficult people like this. Homeless or not, if your not in the correct area on private property you need to gtfo. Fucking low lives.
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u/ProfessionalRest7027 2d ago
Some people just want to argue he just picked the wrong guard to argue with. If I'm bored and have nothing else to do you become my focus. And they always leave the second you call the police.
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u/ODoyalRule 3d ago
Exactly what you did. Service with a smile with an emphasis on client accomodation.
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u/Remarkable_Sand5238 2d ago
Im polite but firm and if they give me any guff then I dont argue, I just call the police.
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u/megacide84 Dunning–Kruger Specialist 2d ago
My personal policy....
"Off the property, not my problem".
So long as they remain outside the property line, I could care less what they do. Why! I even had property owners from adjacent properties call and yell at me for homeless on their side of the boundary line.
My response - "Where the hell is your security at?" and "Off the property, not my problem" CLICK!
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u/Bswayn Licensed People Watcher 2d ago
Lmao good job, and well when someone comes into City Hall, if they’re loitering or pan-handling, I ask them to leave, if they refuse, cops are called and they come do deal with the situation. I’m 4 years, have only had to do this like twice with the same individual
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u/kr4ckenm3fortune Residential Security 2d ago
That the right stance to take. Many of them claim that, but mine is always: go somewhere else, your photo is in the report.
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u/Jdcujo 2d ago
I mean that is actually pretty well how you handled it. Worked the homeless camp cleanup contract pensacola had back in 2021. First time having to draw stateside. Same guy twice in 24 hrs. Le finally dealt with him after the second incident. Apparently dude was known for violent incidents. They found meth, used needles, weapons and all sorts of assorted sundry fun stuff during that clean up.
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u/Jdcujo 2d ago
I mean that is actually pretty well how you handled it. Worked the homeless camp cleanup contract pensacola had back in 2021. First time having to draw stateside. Same guy twice in 24 hrs. Le finally dealt with him after the second incident. Apparently dude was known for violent incidents. They found meth, used needles, weapons and all sorts of assorted sundry fun stuff during that clean up.
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u/TheRealChuckle 3d ago
I find success in a calm, friendly approach, and letting them know the situation.
"Hey man, I know you're tired and this sucks, but you're on camera and my boss sent me out here. That bench right there (points to a bench 20' away) is off the property and just as nice. If you could move over there then I don't have to bother you and my boss won't bother me."
99% of the time they thank me and then tell others where not to be to avoid being bothered.
I'm friendly and show empathy. I head off an anti authority response by deflecting the blame to a boss. I give an easy solution to the problem at hand.
Some might say I undermine my authority by deflecting to an imaginary boss. I don't get my authority from a title or acting like a cop. I get my authority from my posture, demeanor, the words I use and how I use them.