Originally Posted by
Clint45
I've done security jobs in the past and have a few friends who are doing it now. The best part about graveyard shift private security is that you pretty much have complete autonomy and can do whatever you want with that time. A lot of guys try to "make money while they sleep," but they usually don' last long. The most screwed up thing about security is that, typically, the cops hate you. If you run into a problem and call local law enforcement for assistance, dispatch either will not send anyone or will flat out tell you "don't call us anymore." Seriously, that is a real problem.
While working in another state as a night watchman, I saw a tweaker trespassing on a construction site at 0300 to steal metal. When I approached him, he threatened me with a pistol. I backed off and called local law enforcement and they said they'd send someone right over . . . a half hour later the tweaker got in his car and left. The cops still hadn't showed up so I called them again with the car's description and plate number. They never called back or showed up.
Just a couple weeks ago, a friend who is a supervisor at a site near DIA had a problem with a naked screaming guy hiding in the bushes who started chasing him. He got in his car, drove a safe distance away, and called law enforcement. "You're not in immediate danger, and we don't want any more calls from that site" the dispatcher told him.
Oh . . . and with most private security jobs the client does not want to pay extra for or risk the liability of having an armed guard (which typically doubles their cost), so you do not have an issued sidearm and are told not to detain or arrest anyone, just to call police if you run into a problem . . . whereupon the police tell you to go to hell.
It is a great job aside from the no money and no respect thing. You get paid to show up on time, walk around a few times, and write a report. A retarded chimpanzee can do that . . . but you might be surprised how many new hires get fired within the first month for failing to do the bare minimum expected of them. Easiest job in the world. You can lift weights, talk on the phone, and read books most of the night. It is a lot better than collecting unemployment when you are between jobs.