Patrol Services vs. Static Guards: Making the Right Choice for Your Twin Cities Business

Deciding between static guards, patrol services, or a hybrid approach can be a difficult decision. There are many things to consider between the different types of security services, and you may need some assistance with your decision.

That’s why Securida has put together this comprehensive guide about patrol services vs. static guards and about how both types of security can be beneficial for your business.

What Are the Key Differences Between Patrol Services and Static Security Guards?

There are many differences between patrol services and static security guards. Let’s take a look at some examples below:

Patrol Services

Patrol services tend to be on the move; they travel around a business complex, event, or multi-family housing to ensure that the entire area is secure and protected from potential threats. Some other characteristics of patrol services include:

• Versatility: They can cover more ground and respond to incidents in different areas.
   
• Dynamic Presence: Because they do not follow the same route, they can act as a more challenging presence for potential criminals.
   
• Comprehensive Coverage: Patrol services work better for areas with multiple entry points or a large perimeter.
   
• Rapid Response: They can reach emergencies and respond quicker than a static guard.

Static Security Guards

Static security guards are stationed at strategic points to monitor incoming traffic, entry points, and vulnerable areas that could be prone to incidents. Some examples of their differences include:

• Deterrence: At a static location, guards can act as a deterrent for criminal activity.
   
• Consistent Monitoring: With a static guard at a location, there is constant monitoring for that vulnerable area.
   
• Familiarity: Static guards become familiar with regular people and their routines, which makes it easier to spot suspicious behavior.
   
• Cost-effective: Sometimes, static guards are more cost-effective than patrol services.

What Factors Should Businesses Consider When Choosing Between Patrol Services and Static Guards?

There are several factors to consider when choosing which kind of security services your location or event needs. After all, you need the most comprehensive coverage and efficient solution for your property or event to ensure everyone’s safety.

Some factors to consider include:

• Property Size and Layout
  • Is the area you need guarding large or small?
  • Are there several entry points that could be subject to a threat?
  • Do you need an entire property guarded or just a small space or room?
     
• Security Needs and Risk
  • Do you need dynamic security to respond over a large area?
  • Do you need a constant presence to emphasize control?
     
• Access Points
  • How many access points are there?
  • Does every access point need a guard, or will a roaming patrol work?
     
• Response Time Requirements
  • Do you anticipate the need for rapid response in a large area?
  • Do you not require a swift response to low-priority problems?
     
• Budget
  • Does your budget allow for one over the other, or perhaps a hybrid approach?
     
• Risk Assessment
  • Does your security presence need to change or adapt to situations?
  • Are your security risks low or stable?
     
• Security Technology
  • Do you need someone to monitor cameras or other security equipment?

As you can see, there are many factors to consider between patrols and static guards. As you work through these questions, you should see a pattern develop that can help you toward a decision between a moving patrol service or static security guards.

How Do Patrol Services Enhance Business Security Beyond Static Guarding?

For a large complex or building, patrol services can enhance business security. Static guards have their place in security, keeping tabs on consistent movement through access points, parking lots, or buildings.

Patrol services have the ability to keep tabs on many areas and watch for problems that a static guard cannot watch, save for perhaps a camera system. Patrol services can also respond quicker to emergencies, and they can be trained in various basic medical aid to help while waiting for an ambulance or other medical help to arrive.

Patrol services are also versatile. A patrol officer can be used for other monitoring and security when needed while your static guards remain in place to monitor their access point or room. Patrol services can help out when a static guard needs to leave their post, as well.

How Do Patrol Services Integrate with Other Security Measures for Comprehensive Protection?

For comprehensive security protection, integrating patrol services can have a huge benefit. For example, if you only have static guards now, you can add patrol services to help. By staying in constant communication with the static guards, patrol services can respond to threats that the static guards notice and vice versa.

With security technology, a static guard can relay information they see on the cameras to a patrol guard, who can respond to that problem as soon as possible.

If your complex or property has many access points and a barrier to keep unwanted visitors out, then a static guard can monitor the access points. At the same time, patrols monitor the barrier or fence lines. These are just some ways that patrol services can help your security program by creating a hybrid team.

Contact Securida Today for Comprehensive Security Measures

As a locally owned and operated company in the Twin Cities, Securida can handle your business’s security needs with our expert and trained staff. Whether you need static guards, patrols, unarmed security, or armed security, we can provide appropriate security protection. Our staff has over 30 years of experience in commercial security and risk assessment.

For more information about our company and what we can do for you, call us at 612-444-3308 or receive a free estimate online.