On the Ground in NYC: A Security Guard’s Guide to Workplace Bad Situations and violence

Alright, let’s just talk straight. About something that’s a big deal for any security guard in New York City. And that’s workplace violence. Actually, it’s not just some rule in a book, it’s like, something we see every day. And things can get bad fast. So, being ready isn’t just part of the job, it’s really important for everyone’s safety. Ours too. But this is about sharing stuff I’ve learned, real stories, on how to handle these tough spots. And what the new rules mean for us, the guys on the ground.

The Real Story: What We’re Dealing With Daily

So, if you’ve been doing this security thing in NYC for a while, you’ve seen it. And workplace violence, it shows up in different ways. Across all kinds of places too:

• Retail Trouble Spots: You ever see a customer get super mad about a return? Or ’cause a line’s too long? Yeah, those retail places can be where things often go wrong.

• Hospital Situations: Hospitals and clinics, they’re always stressful places, right? And patients and their families, they’re often really stressed out. So, sometimes that turns into them being mean to staff and us guards.

• Office Problems: And even though offices seem quiet, bad stuff can happen there too. Like, with workers who got fired or are just unhappy. So, we gotta handle it cool and right.

And the numbers show this. OSHA, you know, the government guys, they say almost 2 million workers in America have problems with workplace violence each year. But, we all know a lot of times things probably don’t get written up. And here in New York, things have gotten worse – injuries from attacks at work went up by over 26% in a recent time. So, that really shows why being ready is super important. Like, you just gotta be.

A Real-Life Thing: When Stuff Gets Bad

So, imagine this – it’s something you see a lot. You’re working a busy night shift. Big store in Manhattan. And you see a customer getting more and more mad at a cashier. About a price or something. And the cashier, they look upset. And the whole thing is just getting worse. So, that’s when your training and what you know kicks in.

1. First, You Go Over & Look: Your first thing is to go over there, cool and slow. And, just seeing you there, a guard, that can calm things down a lot. So, you’re looking at how they act, how they sound, what’s going on – trying to see how bad it is.

2. Then, You Talk: And if just being there doesn’t work, you try to talk them down, being professional. So, that means talking in a calm, nice way. And really listen to what they’re mad about – but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to act crazy. And you try to get things sorted out. Something like, “Let’s see how we can fix this,” that’s a good way to start.

3. And, Have a Plan B: But, if talking doesn’t work, and it looks like they might start swinging? Well, your training tells you what to do. Like, call for backup if you got it. And make sure you’re in a safe spot. And doing what you gotta do to keep people and stuff safe – all while following the rules, you know?

So, stuff like this? It really shows you gotta think fast. And stay cool. And stick to the plan.

Good Ways to Act: Stopping and Handling Bad Stuff

1. Know What’s Up: Your Best Tool
   So, this is like, the main thing about doing security right. And knowing what’s around you is super, super important.

   • Look at How People Act: There are things that show you someone’s getting mad. Like, if they make fists. Or stand like they want to fight. Or look really hard at someone. Or move around fast and jumpy. And seeing these things early helps a lot.

   • Be Smart About Where You Stand: And always know where your exits are. So you can’t get trapped. And keeping a polite but not too close distance is important, especially if things feel tight.

   • Know What’s Normal: So, get to know how things usually are at your job site. And when things are different, you gotta check it out. And always go with your gut feeling – if it feels weird, it probably is.

2. Talking People Down: A Really Good Skill
   And, talking someone down when they’re about to blow? That’s a huge help. It can stop people from getting hurt. And fix problems without anyone getting hands-on.

   • Stay Cool: If you’re calm, it can change the whole thing. So, talk clear and keep your voice even. Even if they’re yelling.

   • Listen Good: And let them talk it out (but not too much, right?). ‘Cause when they feel like you’re listening, they often calm down a lot. And say you get how they feel – but don’t give in to crazy stuff or say it’s okay to be mean.

   • Make the Rules Clear – But Nice: And if they keep acting bad, tell them nice but strong that what they’re doing isn’t okay. And what could happen. Like, “I get you’re upset, but we need to be nice here. If you keep acting like this, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

   • I Remember This One Time: So, I had this guy who got fired. And he was really mad. But I just talked to him, said I understood it was a bad situation, but we had to do things the right way. And that helped calm things down before it got really bad.

3. Using Tech – It Helps
   And tech stuff? It’s good help. But it doesn’t replace a good guard, you know?

   • Cameras: Good cameras can stop some bad stuff from happening. And give you proof if it does.

   • Panic Buttons: These are really important in places like stores or hospitals. It’s a quick way to call for help.

   • Know the NY Law: So, there’s this New York Retail Worker Safety Act. And it says bigger stores gotta have panic buttons by 2027. And knowing about these laws is part of our job. And if your job site could use them now, it’s okay to tell the boss.

4. Keep Learning – It’s Important
   So, getting your license? That’s just the start. And you always gotta keep learning.

   • Practice: Acting out bad situations, even if it feels silly, helps you know what to do when it’s real.

   • First Aid & CPR: And knowing how to help someone who’s hurt ’til the ambulance gets there? That’s super important.

   • Find Good Training: And look for good places to train. Like, my friend Carlos, he says SSC Security Guard Training in Astoria is good. ‘Cause they teach stuff that works in real life. So, you’re learning things you can actually use.

5. Working Together – Makes Things Safer
   And, working together on safety is always better, right?

   • Being Seen: Just you being there, looking alert? That stops a lot of bad stuff just by being there.

   • Talk to People: And tell everyone – cashiers, front desk people – to let you know if they see anything weird. ‘Cause knowing things early can stop them from getting worse.

   • Try to Understand: So, keep it professional. But, remembering people might be having a bad day can help you deal with them better.

   • The Boss’s Job: And a good boss will care about safety. With good rules, stuff like lights and cameras, and training.

Last Thing: Your Job is a Big Deal

So, being a security guard in New York City? It’s tough. But it’s also a really big deal. And you’re keeping people and stuff safe. And yeah, workplace violence is tough. But if you’re aware, and know how to talk people down, and keep learning, and act professional? You can handle it.

So, keep your eyes open. Act right. And keep getting better at your job.

Questions Guards Ask – The Real Answers:

• So, that Workplace Violence Act in New York – what are the main things we need to know? Is it just more paper?
  Nah, it’s supposed to be more than just a piece of paper. Basically, New York State, they’re saying bosses – especially public ones, but it’s a good idea for all bosses, really – gotta do something about it first. And, they can’t just hope for the best. So, they need to really check out what could go wrong at your job. And then make big plans to stop bad stuff. And give good training to everyone, including us guards. And have easy ways to tell someone when something happens, and what to do then. But the main idea is to stop it – find the bad spots and fix them before anyone gets hurt. And, if your boss isn’t doing this stuff? Well, they’re not doing their job right. And that could make things unsafe.

• What does the law say is a “bad place to work” in New York? Like, when is it really that bad?
  That’s a good question. ‘Cause “bad place to work” can mean different things. But, from what I’ve seen, it’s when stuff at work is so bad, or happens so much, that any normal person would feel scared or awful. And it makes it hard to do your job. And, this bad stuff is usually about things like your race, if you’re a man or woman, religion, stuff like that – you know, protected things. So, one thing happening once usually isn’t it, unless it was super, super bad. Like, if someone actually hit you or said something really awful. Most of the time, though, it’s when people keep saying mean things, or hitting on you when you don’t want, or picking on you, or trying to scare you. And if you’re dealing with that, man, write everything down. Like, when it happened, what they said or did, who saw it. Get a little notebook. ‘Cause having notes is super important if you need to prove it. Your word’s good, but notes are even better.

• Can you tell me quick about those “4 kinds of workplace violence” I hear about? Is that just stuff from a book?
  Yeah, it might sound like book stuff. But knowing these actually helps you figure out what could happen. And what to do. So, here’s a real basic way to break it down:

  1. First kind (Criminals): This is when a stranger, someone who doesn’t work there or know anyone, comes in to do something bad. Like rob the place or just start trouble.

  2. Second kind (Customers/Clients): And this one’s when a customer or a client gets mean or rough. Like someone shopping who gets mad, or a patient at a hospital. This kind of thing happens a lot, unfortunately.

  3. Third kind (Workers vs. Workers): So, this is when someone you work with, or maybe used to work with, gets rough with another worker. Could be coworkers fighting, or even a boss being a bully.

  4. Fourth kind (Home Drama at Work): And this is when someone’s drama from home, like with their boyfriend or girlfriend or family, comes to work. And they try to hurt an employee there. Usually the person causing trouble doesn’t work there, but their target does. Scary stuff, that.

  So, knowing these different kinds? It just helps you make better plans to stop things. And figure out what to do if they do happen. So, yeah, not just book stuff – actually pretty useful.