Security Gun For Hire

Starting a career in security can be challenging, especially when you're still learning the ropes. New security guards often make predictable mistakes that can compromise safety, damage their professional reputation, or even result in termination. Understanding these common pitfalls and how to avoid them will help you succeed in your new role.

Overstepping Authority

One of the most serious mistakes new guards make is exceeding their legal authority. Unlike police officers, security guards have limited powers and must operate within specific boundaries. Attempting to detain someone without proper cause, conducting unauthorized searches, or using excessive force can lead to lawsuits and criminal charges.

How to avoid it: Thoroughly understand your jurisdiction's laws regarding security guard authority. Know exactly what your employer's policies allow. When in doubt, observe and report rather than intervene directly. Your primary role is to deter crime and document incidents, not to act as law enforcement.

Poor Report Writing

Inadequate or inaccurate incident reports create liability issues and undermine your credibility. New guards often write reports that are too vague, include opinions rather than facts, or omit critical details. A report that states "suspicious person acting weird" is far less useful than one that describes specific observable behaviors.

How to avoid it: Write reports immediately after incidents while details are fresh. Stick to factual observations using clear, specific language. Include the who, what, when, where, and how of every incident. Describe what you saw, heard, and did without inserting assumptions or conclusions. Review your reports before submission to ensure they're complete and professional.

Complacency and Inattentiveness

Long, quiet shifts can lull guards into a false sense of security. Spending excessive time on personal phones, falling asleep, or failing to complete patrol rounds are serious breaches of duty. Most security incidents occur precisely because perpetrators notice guards aren't paying attention.

How to avoid it: Develop strategies to stay alert during slow periods. Vary your patrol routes and timing to remain unpredictable. Use downtime productively by reviewing post orders, checking equipment, or studying the property layout. If you're struggling with fatigue, address it honestly by adjusting your sleep schedule or discussing shift changes with your supervisor.

Inappropriate Conduct

Maintaining professionalism is essential, yet new guards sometimes make the mistake of being too casual with clients or visitors, getting involved in workplace gossip, or failing to maintain proper appearance standards. Others may become overly aggressive or confrontational, creating unnecessary conflicts.

How to avoid it: Always present yourself professionally through your appearance, language, and demeanor. Be courteous but maintain appropriate boundaries with everyone you encounter. Stay neutral in workplace politics and avoid discussing sensitive matters with unauthorized individuals. Approach every situation with a calm, professional attitude, using de-escalation techniques before situations escalate.

The Path to Success

Avoiding these common mistakes comes down to staying professional, remaining vigilant, communicating effectively, and operating within your authority. Remember that security work requires patience, attention to detail, and sound judgment. Learn from experienced colleagues, take your training seriously, and never stop improving your skills. With an effective approach, you'll quickly move past the rookie stage and establish yourself as a trusted security professional.

The first shift back always hits different. You spend a week living like a normal person, sleeping past sunrise, wearing whatever you want, forgetting what a flashlight feels like on your hip. Then Sunday morning rolls around, and you're laying out the uniform again, charging the radio, setting three alarms because you don't trust yourself anymore.

Sunday morning comes too fast. The site looks the same as you left it, but somehow unfamiliar. You walk the perimeter like you're learning it again, even though you could do it blindfolded. Your replacement did fine, nothing burned down, nobody broke in, but you still check everything twice. It's just what you do.

The coffee tastes worse than you remembered. The chair in the security office feels harder. That one flickering hallway light that maintenance still hasn't fixed? Still flickering.

But something shifts around hour three. Your body remembers the rhythm. Your brain stops fighting the boredom and settles into that alert-but-patient state that makes an effective guard. You catch yourself actually caring again when someone tries to tailgate through the employee entrance. You're back in it.

The truth is, vacation makes you appreciate the job more, even if you'd never admit it out loud. There's something steady about this work. You know what's expected. You know your rounds, your responsibilities, your role. While you were gone, the world kept spinning, but this building, your post, was waiting for you.

A coworker stops by, asks how the time off was. "Too short," you say, because that's what you're supposed to say. But you're already thinking about the next one, already counting down. That's how you survive the grind.

One shift down. Many more this week. Then you do it all again.

As a security guard, encountering a DIY mechanic working on a broken-down car at the fuel pumps at a grocery store near closing time presents both a customer service challenge and a safety concern. Your role is to balance compassion with maintaining property security and safety standards.

Initial Assessment

Approach the situation professionally and observe before engaging. Note whether there are any immediate safety hazards: fuel spills, smoking, open flames, or tools creating trip hazards. If you see any dangerous conditions near active fuel pumps, address those first. A calm, "Evening, sir. I'm with security. What's going on with your vehicle?" establishes your authority while opening dialogue.

Safety First

Active fuel pumps are not repair bays. Politely but firmly explain that working on a vehicle at the pumps creates liability issues and blocks access for other customers. "I understand you're in a tough spot, but for safety reasons, we can't have repairs happening at the fuel pumps. Let's figure out how to get your car moved."

If they can get the vehicle running briefly, direct them to a parking spot away from high-traffic areas. If not, ask if they can put it in neutral so you can help push it to a safer location.

Know Your Boundaries

If the person becomes hostile, refuses to cooperate, or the situation escalates, maintain your distance and call for backup or police assistance. Your job is to protect property and people, not to force compliance physically.

The Human Element

Remember, this person is likely stressed and embarrassed. A breakdown isn't planned. Treating them with respect while enforcing policies usually leads to cooperation. "I know this isn't how you wanted your night to go. Let's work together to get this resolved safely."

Most DIY mechanics will appreciate a security guard who's firm but fair. Your professionalism in these moments reflects on the entire property.

We'd been grinding away at SEO, pumping out blog posts, tweaking keywords, editing nerd-like coding and obsessively checking our rankings. And then one morning, it finally happened: our security gun for hire landed on Google's first page. I wish I could tell you wine bottles popped and we threw a party. The reality? I stared at my screen for a solid minute, refreshed twice to make sure it wasn't a glitch, then immediately thought we weren't ready for what came next.

Magic With a Mix of Skill and Luck

First-page visibility doesn't just increase traffic, it transforms perception. Suddenly, we weren't just another security website. We were the security website people found when they needed guidance.

The Pressure Is Real

Here's what nobody tells you about ranking on page one: you can't afford to mess up anymore. Every click matters. Every process needs to be sharp. Every move becomes a referendum on whether you deserve that coveted position.

We had to level up everything, faster load times, more polished content, better communication. Google put us in the spotlight, but staying there meant proving we belonged.

What We Learned

If you're still grinding away in the SEO trenches, here's my advice: prepare before you rank. Make sure your process is bulletproof. Train to handle increased volume. Have your systems ready to go.

Because when you finally crack that first page, the real work begins. The leads will come. The question is whether you're ready to convert them.

That first-page ranking didn't just change our website traffic. It changed what we had to become to deserve it.

"How's it going?" they ask as they grab their shopping cart. "You know," I say with a slight grin, "just chillin like a villain." I've said this probably 100 times in the last month. Every single time, people love it. Something about a security guard at a grocery store claiming villain status while standing next to a pyramid of discount avocados really lands.

The Art of Villainous Chilling

Here's what people don't understand: I'm not just a security guard at a grocery store. I'm the gatekeeper between you and those suspiciously inexpensive avocados. I patrol my domain, which happens to smell like rotisserie chicken and floor cleaner, with the casual menace of someone who knows where all the cameras are.

When customers see me leaning against the shopping cart corral, they think I'm just hanging out. Wrong. I'm strategically positioned. I'm watching. Waiting. Observing that guy who's been in the cereal aisle for twenty minutes trying to decide between Frosted Flakes and off-brand Frosted Flakes. Suspicious? Maybe. My problem? Not yet.

Villain Activities at the Grocery Store

My villainy knows no bounds. Sometimes I walk the entire perimeter of the store. Slowly. Making eye contact. Nodding at the elderly ladies comparing pasta sauce prices. They think I'm being friendly. Little do they know I'm also mentally calculating how many times that kid has lapped the candy aisle while his mom shops.

I've also mastered the villain's most important skill: looking intimidating while doing absolutely nothing threatening. I stand near the entrance, arms crossed, watching people wrestle with shopping carts that have one wheel that spins sideways. Do I help? No. I'm a villain. I observe chaos. Sometimes I am the chaos, like when I have to tell someone they can't return a half-eaten watermelon.

The Customers Strike Back

Some customers play along beautifully. There's one regular who sees me and goes, "Uh oh, the villain's here. Guess I better not steal any grapes today."

"That's correct," I tell him. "I've got eyes everywhere." I don't, actually. One of the cameras near the dairy section has been broken for three weeks. But he doesn't need to know that.

Then there's the lady who always responds with, "Well if you're the villain, what does that make me?"

"A valued customer," I say. "Even villains respect good people."

She buys it every time.

But my favorite interaction was the kid, maybe seven years old, who asked his mom, "Is that guy a bad guy?"

Before she could answer, I crouched down and said, "Only to bad guys." His eyes went WIDE. I might have just created a future security guard in the produce section.

Living My Best Villain Life

The truth is, telling customers I'm "chillin like a villain" is the perfect response to their small talk. It's funny, it's memorable, and it beats the alternative of explaining that I'm actually just counting down the hours until my shift ends while mentally ranking which cashiers are most likely to get into an argument today.

Do I stop shoplifters? Yes. Do I help people find the restroom? Also yes. Do I do both with the swagger of someone who just said their catchphrase for the 303rd time? Absolutely.

So next time you're at the grocery store and you see your security guard posted up near the doors looking like they run the place, ask them how they're doing. And if they tell you they're chillin like a villain, just know they absolutely are. We all are.

Someone's gotta guard these groceries, and it might as well be someone with style.

Flight Time: I'm more used to the automatic doors at the store entrance, the squeak of shopping cart wheels, the constant hum of refrigerator units. My post is usually near the main doors watching for the subtle signs: someone checking over their shoulder too often, a jacket bulging in the wrong places, teenagers daring each other to pocket candy bars.

But today I'm in comfortable pants and a button-down shirt that's been hanging in my closet for months. Today, I'm the one being watched as I fumble with my boarding pass at the check-in kiosk.

The gathering is this week. There will be people I haven't seen in years, conversations that need to happen face-to-face instead of over scratchy phone connections, moments that can't be captured in a text message or a hurried call during my lunch break.

I requested the time off months ago. My manager looked surprised, I never take vacation days, usually just cash them out at the end of the year. But something this year made me think differently. How many more chances would I get?

The security line snakes back and forth. I'm behind a businessman typing furiously on his phone and a college kid with headphones nearly falling off his head. Nobody's trying to steal anything here, but I still catch myself scanning faces out of habit, reading body language, looking for what doesn't fit.

"Next," the TSA officer calls, and I step forward.

She barely looks at me as she checks my ID against my boarding pass. I'm just one of thousands passing through today. At the store, I know the regulars by name, Mrs. Chen who comes in every Tuesday, the construction crew that buys lunch at noon, the kid saving up his allowance for trading cards.

Here, I'm nobody. And somehow, that feels like freedom.

I make it through the metal detector without incident, gather my belt and shoes, and head down the concourse. Gate 13. Minneapolis. Two hours and forty minutes until I land in a city I haven't visited in far too long.

My phone buzzes with a message confirming the rental car reservation. Then another with the address and a note about road construction near the venue.

I feel something loosen in my chest that's been tight for years.

For months, I've been the one making sure people don't take what isn't theirs. I've watched thousands of people rush through those sliding doors with their groceries, heading home to dinners and celebrations and ordinary evenings.

This week, I get to be one of them, someone going somewhere that matters, someone with plans that don't involve monitoring camera feeds or walking the perimeter one more time before closing.

The departure board flickers. On time. I find a seat by the window and watch planes take off, one after another, all of them carrying passengers toward reunions and gatherings and the kind of moments you can't get back once they're gone.

I settle into my seat and close my eyes for a moment, letting the unfamiliar sounds of the airport wash over me. No beeping registers. No overhead announcements about cleanup in aisle seven. No radio crackling with someone asking me to check on a suspicious customer.

Just the quiet hum of anticipation, and a flight to catch.

Working as a security guard at a sports and entertainment stadium requires more than just individual vigilance, it demands seamless teamwork across multiple zones, shifts, and security functions. When thousands of excited fans converge on a venue for a game or concert, the security team becomes the invisible safety net that ensures everyone enjoys the event without incident. Here are the key aspects of teamwork that make stadium security effective.

Coordinated Zone Coverage

Large stadiums are divided into security zones, with guards assigned to specific areas like entrances, concourses, seating sections, backstage areas, and parking lots. Effective teamwork means understanding not just your own zone, but how it connects to adjacent areas. When a situation develops in one section, guards must quickly coordinate to provide backup, redirect crowds, or seal off areas. No guard operates in isolation, your zone is one piece of a larger security puzzle.

Clear Communication Protocols

Radio communication is the lifeline of stadium security teams. Guards must master concise, clear radio etiquette to report incidents, request assistance, or relay information without clogging the channels. During peak moments like entry rushes or event conclusions, dozens of guards may need to communicate simultaneously. Teams that establish communication protocols—using codes, designated channels for different priorities, and disciplined radio discipline—can respond to situations much faster than those where everyone talks over each other.

Trust During High-Pressure Situations

When an intoxicated fan becomes aggressive, a medical emergency unfolds, or a suspicious package is reported, security guards must trust their teammates to respond appropriately. You might need to handle a confrontational individual while trusting that backup is en route, or evacuate a section while another team secures the perimeter. This trust is built through training exercises, consistent professionalism, and knowing that every team member takes their role seriously.

Diverse Team Roles

Stadium security teams include various specialists: front-line guards, surveillance operators watching camera feeds, K-9 units, supervisors coordinating response, and sometimes plainclothes personnel monitoring for specific threats. Effective teamwork means respecting each role's contribution and understanding how to leverage different capabilities. A guard on the floor who spots something suspicious should know exactly how to alert surveillance to track an individual or when to escalate to specialized units.

De-escalation and Backup Timing

When dealing with unruly guests, teamwork involves knowing when to step in and when to hold back. Sometimes multiple guards descending on a situation escalates it unnecessarily, while other times immediate backup prevents violence. Experienced teams develop intuition about reading situations and supporting each other's de-escalation efforts. A good teammate knows when to stand visibly nearby as deterrence versus when to give space for verbal de-escalation to work.

Mutual Accountability and Professionalism

Great security teams hold each other accountable for maintaining standards. If a teammate appears distracted on their phone, shows up unprepared, or treats guests disrespectfully, it affects the entire team's reputation and effectiveness. Constructive accountability—addressing issues directly but respectfully—strengthens the team and prevents small problems from becoming major liabilities.

Conclusion

Stadium security may not seem as dramatic as other security fields, but protecting thousands of people in a confined, emotionally charged environment requires exceptional teamwork. Communication, coordination, trust, and mutual support transform individual guards into a cohesive defensive unit. When security teams work together seamlessly, fans enjoy memorable experiences, and that's the ultimate measure of success. Every member matters, every role counts, and every shift depends on the strength of the team behind it.

BMO Stadium selected Allied Universal as its preferred event services provider in March 2024, marking a significant partnership between one of Los Angeles' premier sports and entertainment venues and the world's leading security services company.

The 22,000-seat stadium, located south of the University of Southern California campus, serves as home to both the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and Angel City Football Club, while also hosting concerts featuring world-renowned music artists. Allied Universal provides comprehensive consulting, event services and security services that enable BMO Stadium to focus on ensuring successful concerts and sporting events.

A Major Employment Opportunity

The partnership created more than 500 positions to support stadium operations, offering opportunities for members of the Southern California community to work at one of the region's most exciting venues. These positions provide community members with a unique opportunity to not only attend concerts and sports events but get paid to experience the excitement surrounding their favorite artists and sports teams.

Available roles include event security personnel, supervisors, and custom protection officers. No prior experience is necessary, as training is provided. Job responsibilities include checking bags, enforcing access control, screening guests during entry, and implementing safety policies while delivering superior customer service.

Industry-Leading Employer

According to Ty Richmond, president of Allied Universal Events Services, the company brings decades of expertise in event services to support BMO Stadium and the community it serves. The company notes that many individuals who began careers as security professionals have advanced to senior leadership positions.

Aisha Vincenti, Allied Universal Marketing & Communication Leader states BMO Stadium is raising the bar for how venues should operate. By bringing together safety, hospitality, and event operations into one cohesive strategy, they're transforming what it means to attend an event. We're honored that our integrated security approach helps ensure consistency, strong communication, and a smooth experience for every guest. It's a testament to what's possible when teams work together with a shared vision for innovation.

Employee satisfaction surveys show that more than 80% of employees are proud to be part of the Allied Universal team, while more than 75% are satisfied with their jobs. Full-time positions include benefits such as medical and dental coverage, life insurance, 401(k) plans, and holidays.

The partnership represents Allied Universal's commitment to delivering safe, fan-focused experiences through collaboration and technology-forward security solutions at one of Los Angeles' most dynamic entertainment destinations.

But the most important lesson I've learned here has nothing to do with construction and everything to do with people: when everyone's voice matters, everyone goes home safe.

The Day Everything Changed

Three months ago, we had a close call that changed how this site operates.

I was doing my mid-morning rounds when I passed Miguel, one of the newer laborers, standing near the loading zone looking concerned. He was young, maybe his second or third construction job, and I could tell he wanted to say something but was hesitating.

"Everything okay?" I asked.

He glanced around, then said quietly, "That pallet of rebar, the straps look frayed."

I looked. Miguel was correct. The straps were worn, and the pallet was stacked high. One wrong move from the forklift and dozens of steel bars could come loose.

I could have walked away. After all, I'm "just security." But Miguel's concern was genuine, and something told me to trust his eyes.

I radioed the site safety officer directly. Within fifteen minutes, the pallet was re-secured with new straps. The safety officer thanked both of us and later told me that one of the straps likely would have failed during the next lift.

At the next morning's safety huddle, the project manager did something unexpected. He called out Miguel by name, thanked him for speaking up, and thanked me for listening and escalating. Then he said something I'll never forget:

"On this site, everyone has permission to stop work if they see something unsafe. I don't care if you've been in construction for thirty years or thirty days. Your eyes and your voice matter."

Why Every Voice Matters

Construction sites bring together an incredible diversity of people: seasoned foremen and first-day apprentices, union tradespeople and contract workers, engineers and equipment operators, delivery drivers and security guards like me. We have different roles, different expertise, and different perspectives.

That diversity is our greatest safety asset, but only if we actually listen to each other.

The apprentice electrician notices the extension cord with exposed wiring because she's working right next to it.

The delivery driver sees that the temporary fencing has a gap because he walks the perimeter looking for the best access point.

The veteran ironworker recognizes the sound of a bolt gun misfiring because he's heard it a thousand times.

The cleaning crew member spots the spilled hydraulic fluid in the stairwell because she's the one mopping it.

And I, the security guard, notice the pattern of workers entering a restricted area because I'm the one checking.

None of us sees everything. But together, we see it all.

The Barriers We Build

Despite this reality, construction sites, like many workplaces, often have invisible barriers that prevent voices from being heard:

Hierarchy: The assumption that only supervisors and managers have valuable safety insights, while newer or lower-level workers should "stay in their lane."

Pride: Experienced workers who dismiss concerns from less experienced ones, or who feel that admitting they didn't notice something is a sign of weakness.

Fear: Workers worried about being seen as troublemakers, slowing down work, or facing retaliation for speaking up.

Assumptions: The belief that "someone else probably already noticed" or "it's not my job to say something."

I've seen these barriers cost time, money, and almost cost lives. And I've seen what happens when we break them down.

Building a Culture Where Every Voice Is Heard

Our site isn't perfect, but we've made real progress. Here's what's working:

Daily safety huddles include everyone. Not just supervisors, but crew members from different trades. We rotate who shares observations, and everyone from the crane operator to the site cleaner has spoken up.

"See something, say something" actually means everyone. The project manager regularly reminds us that stopping work for safety concerns is never punished—it's expected.

We acknowledge contributions publicly. When someone's observation prevents an incident, we recognize them by name. It reinforces that speaking up is valued.

Multiple reporting channels exist. You can tell your supervisor, tell safety officers, tell security, or submit anonymous reports. No concern is too small to raise.

We follow up and close the loop. When someone reports something, we investigate, take action if needed, and report back. People keep speaking up because they see their voices lead to real change.

To Everyone on Site

If you're a supervisor or manager: create space for every voice. Ask questions. Listen without defensiveness. Thank people for speaking up, even when their concerns don't pan out.

If you're a skilled tradesperson: mentor newer workers not just in technique, but in the importance of safety communication. Your experience is invaluable, but so are fresh eyes.

If you're new to construction: your lack of experience doesn't make your observations less valid. If something seems unsafe, say something. Your different perspective might catch what experienced eyes have learned to overlook.

If you're in a support role like me: you're part of this team. Your observations from the gate, the cameras, or your rounds are just as important as observations from the scaffolding.

The Bottom Line

Construction is dangerous work. But it's less dangerous when we work together, communicate openly, and genuinely value every voice not just in theory, but in practice, every single day.

That pallet of rebar with the frayed straps? It didn't care whether Miguel was a new laborer or a senior foreman. It didn't care that I'm "just" security. Physics doesn't respect hierarchy.

Safety doesn't either.

So let's keep listening to each other, trusting each other, and speaking up for each other. Because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to finish the job and go home to the people we love.

A security guard's ability to maintain a poker face and composure under pressure can mean the difference between defusing a volatile situation and escalating it. Your facial expressions communicate volumes before you ever say a word, making emotional control a critical skill in security work.

Why It Matters

When confronting potential threats, handling distressed individuals, or monitoring suspicious activity, your face reveals your thoughts. A visible reaction, whether surprise, fear, or disgust, can embolden aggressors, undermine your authority, or telegraph your next move. Conversely, a neutral, controlled expression projects confidence and professionalism.

Practical Techniques

Master the neutral baseline. Practice maintaining a relaxed but alert expression in front of a mirror. Your face should appear calm and attentive without seeming cold or hostile. Slight tension in your jaw or forehead signals stress, so consciously relax these areas.

Control your breathing. When adrenaline spikes, breathing becomes shallow and rapid, which shows in your face. Deep, steady breaths from your diaphragm keep oxygen flowing to your brain and prevent the flushed, tense appearance that accompanies panic.

Manage your eyes. Your eyes are the hardest feature to control. Avoid widening them in surprise or narrowing them in anger. Instead, maintain steady, confident eye contact without staring. If you need to process shocking information, train yourself to blink normally rather than freezing or looking away abruptly.

Develop emotional awareness. You can't control what you don't recognize. Throughout your shift, mentally check in with yourself. Notice when irritation, boredom, or anxiety begins building, and consciously reset your expression before these emotions show.

Practice under pressure. Watch disturbing news footage or intense videos while monitoring your reflection. Have colleagues try to provoke reactions during training scenarios. The more you practice maintaining composure when alone, the more automatic it becomes in the field.

The Long Game

Remember that maintaining a poker face doesn't mean suppressing emotions entirely—that leads to burnout. Process difficult experiences with trusted colleagues or professionals after your shift. A neutral expression during work hours is a professional tool, not a permanent mask.

Your face is part of your uniform. Master it, and you'll command respect while keeping yourself and others safer.