Whether you are supervising a teenagers birthday party, or patrolling a major regional event with tens of thousands of attendees, there are certain signs that you should be on the lookout for.
Sometimes reporting suspicious behavior is just as important as preventing it. Here are a few things to be on the lookout for!
Hiding the Face
Anyone who seems overly cautious of hiding their face, or avoiding the security cameras, is probably up to no good. Keep an eye on these guys. You may notice that they have their hood up and sunglasses on, even in the heat and shade. These are good indicators that someone does not want to be recognized, or surveilled.
Protective of Bags
It is safe to assume that anyone who is overly careful of their bag has something important in it. If it’s a teenager, it may be a controlled substance or alcohol. If it’s an adult with the bag, it may be controlled substances, or something more dangerous such as a weapon. At most large events, security guards will conduct bag checks. However, at events where bag checks are not conducted, you should be especially wary of bag-toting individuals.
Hovering in a Particular Spot
Anyone that seems tethered to a certain spot may be worth giving a second glance. They are especially worth giving a second glance if the spot their tethered to is restricted. Someone lingering near a fire alarm, a restricted entry point, or a breaker box may be up to no good. While keeping an eye on these subjects, use your judgement to determine whether or not they are acting suspicious.
Large Consumption of Alcohol
As much as it stinks to say, we all know that alcohol has tendencies to lead to problems. Anyone who has ever drank too much can attest to this. Watch out for belligerent behavior, stumbling or falling, and shouting. Sometimes interacting with drunk people can be a hassle, especially if they are agitated or provoked. It is necessary for the safety of both the drunk subject, and the surrounding guests, to take care of the situation. Here at APEX, our security officers never turn a blind eye.
Restricted Access Entry Points
Wherever there is restricted access, there will be someone trying to access it. Whether their intent is malicious, or just plain curious, these individuals must be stopped. Just like a big red button that says “Do Not Push,” restricted access areas are magnets for trouble. Keep a special eye out for these areas, as they are some of the most important areas to secure.
Other Individual Traits:
A few other traits to look for on the individual level are: heavy breathing, heavy sweating, and compulsive behaviors. Compulsive behaviors might include restless body movements, scratching, looking around around constantly, and appearing jumpy. People who are about to be disruptive, dangerous, or do something wrong, will often exhibit these signs.
As security guards, identifying problematic behavior is half of our jobs – the other half is rectifying those problems. Security guards rely on their senses and their observations to make sure that everyone can have a fun, safe, time.
If you need security guards at your next event, game, or convention, give APEX Security a call. It is our mission, and our security guards objectives, to keep you, your guests, and your investments safe! Call APEX at (407) 846-1435.