When people call the security company, most likely they already know something is amiss. A missing tool in a job site, a back door that is continually being broken into after hours, a parking lot that has a bad reputation. The one thing they typically don’t know is which type of security that they should purchase.
There are two options that are the most frequently used, on-site guards and mobile patrol. They have various problems and selecting the right one will result in either an over-payment or an under-protection.
What an on-site guard does
An ‘on-site’ (static) guard will keep an eye on your property for a fixed shift. In uniform, in plain sight they’re there. That visibility makes a difference: Many crimes are committed when no one is expecting them and it makes the equation different for someone who is standing at the gate.
A static guard can also perform functions that a drive-by can’t. They are able to greet and check people in and out, monitor a loading dock, deal with an irate visitor, intervene when something looks amiss and answer staff and customer questions as they arise. They can become a part of a property’s operation when a community is frequented regularly.
The flip-side is the price tag. You are taking a whole shift at a single place even if nothing happens on that shift.
What mobile patrol does
Mobile patrol services work the opposite way. Instead of one guard staying at your building’s post and watching over your premises, a mobile patrol will have a vehicle that comes and goes around your property and others in a route, on random or set schedules. During their visits, the guards check the perimeter, open and close doors, and look over any parts that may have damage or forced entry.
As a service that patrols multiple clients’ buildings on a regular basis, a mobile patrol will usually be cheaper than a post guard. And since their visits are random or on a non-disclosed schedule, a would-be intruder cannot predict when the patrol will be gone and try to enter the premises. Mobile patrols are best for buildings that have little activity and only require checks during regular business hours.
The obvious downside to mobile patrols is the fact that they cannot be present 24/7. A guard may respond to a distress call and be away when the patrol arrives, or the patrol can only visit every few days. This means that while they can deter and detect crime, they cannot prevent it entirely if an incident occuirs when they are not present.
How to decide
Skip the sales pitch and ask yourself a few plain questions.
Is there a person or process to protect, or just a property? If people come and go (a venue, a lobby, a busy site entrance), you probably want someone physically there. If the building is empty overnight, patrol may be enough.
When does the risk actually happen? Many commercial properties are hit after hours, on weekends, or overnight. If your trouble is limited to those windows, paying for a guard during business hours is wasted money. Match the coverage to the risk, not the clock.
What would a break-in cost you? A yard with a few tools is a different decision from one with expensive equipment, a pharmacy stock room, or sensitive records. The higher the loss, the more continuous presence is worth.
How big is the site? A single storefront is easy to cover with a patrol. A large construction site with many entry points, or a property with several buildings, may need guards plus something extra.
Where each one fits best
On-site guards tend to suit: busy commercial buildings, condo and residential lobbies, events, retail with frequent theft, government and municipal facilities, and sites where access control matters.
Mobile patrol tends to suit: small and mid-sized businesses, empty buildings and lots after hours, multi-site owners who can’t staff every location, and seasonal or low-traffic properties.
A mix often works best. Plenty of clients combine a static guard during the riskiest hours with patrol checks the rest of the time. That keeps costs sensible without leaving the property blind.
Add cameras and alarm response
Neither of these options is mutually exclusive. Remote camera monitoring provides eyes on your property between visits by patrol, and alarm response provides active response when a sensor is tripped, not simply an entry log. For construction sites in particular, mobile camera units including poles, towers and solar-powered trailers can supplement or replace even where there is no permanent power or wiring, providing coverage that supplements guards rather than replaces them.
The approach we advocate is to blend static and mobile services to meet the needs of the property rather than the reverse. If you want to see how that works on a build site, our post on
construction site security tips in BC goes into more detail.
Questions to ask any provider
Whoever you hire, a few questions will tell you a lot:
- How often will the patrol visit, and are the visits timed or random?
- How do you report what happened on a shift?
- What happens if a guard or patrol can’t make it? Who covers?
- Who answers when something goes wrong at 3 a.m.?
- Are your guards licensed, and can you show it?
Our guide on
how to choose a professional security company covers the rest of the checklist.
Talk to us before you pick
If you’re still unsure, that’s normal. The right answer depends on your site, your hours and what you’re protecting, and the quickest way to sort it out is a short conversation. We serve Penticton, Kamloops, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Vernon and other communities across BC, with 24/7 dispatch behind the service.
Call
+1 866-777-2407, email
contact@frontlinesec.ca, or
request a free quote and tell us about your property. You can also read more about our
mobile patrol and
CCTV monitoring and alarm response services.
