What Are the Benefits of Unarmed Security Services?
If you manage operations at a hospital, hotel, or retail center, you’re likely concerned about security at your facility. However, having armed police at a location where people come to seek treatment, relax and unwind, or go shopping with their family can be off-putting, to say the least. What are your options? Unarmed security guards can enhance safety, deter crime, and provide guest assistance in various environments, without the higher cost and heightened tension of armed officers.
Keep reading to discover the benefits of unarmed security, why it’s a better fit than armed personnel in certain circumstances, and what armed security officers’ key responsibilities are.
FC Parking, your parking facility management experts, now offers unarmed security services that work hand-in-hand with our parking and valet services to help you provide exceptional service to your customers.
Why Hire Unarmed Security for Your Facility?
There are many reasons to consider hiring unarmed security services instead of armed guards, from a more welcoming environment for your customers and a reduced chance of accidental injuries, to a less costly alternative for budget-conscious managers. Unarmed personnel are highly effective at deterring crime and peacefully resolving conflicts through de-escalation techniques.
What are the key benefits of hiring unarmed security services? They include enhanced safety, crime deterrence, conflict resolution, reduced liability, improved guest experiences, emergency response support, and cost-effectiveness.
Enhanced Safety
With proactive monitoring and surveillance and by reporting suspicious activities, unarmed security personnel can keep your facility safe for your customers. They can patrol designated areas and observe access points to identify possible threats. This vigilance provides enhanced safety, both perceived and actual.
Crime Deterrence
Having a visible security presence goes a long way to deter crime. Uniformed guards discourage criminal activity, especially trespassing, vandalism, and theft. Their presence sends a strong message to would-be perpetrators that the property is being closely monitored.
Conflict Resolution
Unarmed guards are trained in effective communication and other conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques and can effectively manage many disputes without using physical force or having to call in police officers.
Reduced Liability
Businesses that employ armed guards take on risks that are associated with firearms, including potential legal liability from accidental shootings or negligence through force. Unarmed security doesn’t come with these risks.
Improved Guest Experiences
How do unarmed security guards help improve customer and guest experience? The presence of unarmed guards can put visitors more at ease. They foster confidence and trust, creating a more welcoming and approachable environment that can lead to greater customer satisfaction.
Emergency Response Support
Unarmed security personnel can also assist with the unexpected, such as fires, extreme weather, or medical emergencies. They can provide support and coordinate actions with authorities.
Cost-Effective Security Services
Your cost will be lower for unarmed versus armed security, both in terms of hourly rates and reduced liability insurance premiums.
When is Unarmed Security More Appropriate Than Armed Security?
In settings that have low to moderate risk, such as hotels, country clubs, hospitals, residential communities, theaters, office buildings, and retail centers, unarmed guards provide security while maintaining a professional yet subdued appearance. They’re more discreet, approachable for customers to ask questions, and add sophistication to your facility rather than an intimidating presence.
Situations that may require armed security guards include facilities in high-crime areas, businesses that handle large amounts of cash (such as banks), and settings where there are expensive or highly sensitive items like jewelry and artwork. Armed security may also be required if there are crowd control concerns. In most settings, however, unarmed security is the better choice.
What Responsibilities Do Unarmed Security Personnel Typically Handle?
Unarmed guards provide many essential services. They can:
- Patrol the inside and outside of facilities, including parking lots
- Monitor surveillance systems
- Report incidents and suspicious behavior
- Enforce safety protocols
- Deter theft and vandalism
- Assist with medical and other emergencies
- Respond to concerns from visitors
If a situation escalates beyond their capabilities, unarmed security guards can quickly notify police and other emergency responders.
FC Parking Now Offers Unarmed Security Services
FC Parking offers clients unarmed security guards to complement its trusted parking management solutions. Designed for environments where a non-threatening, customer-friendly security presence is preferred, such as retail security guards and security personnel at hospitals, hotels, residential communities, and corporate offices, FC’s unarmed guards serve as a visible deterrent to potential threats.
With over 30 years of experience in security services, our program is led by a highly qualified security expert with high-level government security experience, ensuring a professional, dependable approach to site protection.
Our professionals are trained extensively in conflict resolution, access control, surveillance monitoring, emergency response, customer service, and safety enforcement. They create safer, more welcoming spaces without the use of firearms.
How Site Security Integrates with Parking Management
Site security is a critical component of parking management. FC Parking’s trained parking staff, access control systems, lot monitoring, and advanced parking technology tightly integrate with security teams to manage vehicle flow, deter suspicious activity, and maintain safe, well-organized environments. Together, these services offer a seamless, comprehensive safety strategy that strengthens operations and enhances the guest experience.
Choose FC Parking For Elite Unarmed Security Services
A strong security presence plays a vital role in protecting your customers, facilities, and business assets, as well as making visitors feel safe and protected. However, armed guards are not always appropriate in most public-facing businesses, and unarmed security personnel can provide essential services like site monitoring and theft deterrence in a more people-friendly manner. By integrating your unarmed security and parking management services, you can have a tailored solution that enhances both security and customer service across your property.
Partner with the parking professionals at FC Parking to create safer, more secure, and guest-friendly parking environments.