How Residential Security Guards Protect Social Housing Communities
Residential security services are an important part of all residential communities, especially social housing communities. Residential security guards maintain safe and supportive environments for residents, combining protection with community care to ensure residents feel safe, secure, and welcomed. In this blog, we'll explore how residential security services enhance safety in social housing environments.
What is Residential Security?
Residential security involves trained security guards monitoring, patrolling, and overseeing activity around residential property. Security guards make scheduled patrols of the premises, monitor entrances and exits, respond to maintenance issues and security incidents, and manage visitor access. These duties ensure that residents feel safe and secure in their homes, regardless of their housing type.
Do All Housing Developments Need Residential Security?
Every housing development, from social housing to high-end luxury condos, benefits from residential security. Affordable housing developments face unique challenges, such as high-density populations and vulnerability to crime, making security guards essential for upholding an environment of safety and stability.
Types of Residential Security Guards
Residential properties may require various forms of security to ensure full coverage throughout the building and property. Here’s an overview of the primary types of residential security guards:
Concierge Security
Stationed at the front desk, concierge security guards are typically the first point of contact for residents. They build rapport with residents and frequent visitors, functioning as a point of contact and providing a comfortable environment where residents can feel safe raising concerns. Concierge security guards also manage access control, log visitors, facilitate maintenance access, and monitor CCTV cameras.
Patrol Security
Patrol security guards are usually stationed at building entrances and conduct regularly scheduled foot patrols. They respond quickly to incidents, maintenance issues, and safety hazards while wearing easily recognizable uniforms that serve as a visual deterrent against crime.
Mobile Patrol Security
Mobile security guards conduct patrols of buildings in a marked security vehicle on a randomized schedule, typically overnight. Their patrols are similar to those of foot patrol guards. What sets them apart is that mobile patrol security guards aren’t present throughout the entire shift, offering a cost-effective security solution for buildings that don’t need a static security presence. Blackbird Security mobile security guards respond swiftly to triggered alarms, even when not on-site, thanks to our 24/7 Control Centre team.
Tactical Security
As part of maintaining a safe and secure site, our tactical security guards receive advanced training to handle a variety of emergency and high-pressure situations. Their skills include providing first aid, coordinating safe evacuations, and working with emergency services, including submitting police reports when necessary.
Advanced Training for Helping Communities
We partner with accredited institutions like the Crisis Prevention Institute to teach Crisis Intervention Training, St. John’s Ambulance for Mental Health First Aid Training, the Justice Institute of BC for Trauma-Informed Practice Training, and Indigenous Awareness Canada to instill a foundation of empathy and compassion in our teams’ security approach.
A Community-Focused Approach to Security
Securing social housing requires both professionalism and compassion. While the primary objective of any security guard role is to maintain safety and security, security guards who safeguard social housing communities must go beyond standard duties. Community members must feel safe and comfortable enough to report unsafe behaviour to their building’s security team, meaning security guards must build rapport with every member of the community.
Through our partnerships with organizations like BC Housing, BC Indigenous Housing Society, Civida Social Housing in Edmonton, and Operation Sharing in Ontario, we've developed comprehensive security strategies that prioritize resident safety and well-being while incorporating debriefs with support workers as needed. Our guards build positive relationships with residents, helping create an environment where people feel comfortable reporting concerns.Blackbird Security is proud to provide residential security services to affordable housing developments across Canada. We offer pricing options tailored to a variety of financial situations, ensuring that each development receives the security coverage it needs. Our security guards work closely with housing managers to create a safe and welcoming environment, helping residents feel secure and valued.
Partner With Blackbird for Social Housing Security Services
Professional residential security services are of key benefit in maintaining safe and supportive social housing environments. Our residential security teams understand the unique challenges of protecting vulnerable communities while fostering positive resident relationships. Get in touch with us using the form below to learn how we can safeguard your social housing facility.
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