The frontline layer that protects everyday safety
Unarmed security guards in Maryland are becoming fixtures in an ever-expanding array of settings—from office buildings and retail stores to residential complexes and medical facilities. They are the first responders and the reassuring presence that possesses the tools to respond quickly in non-violent circumstances, as these officers arrive on the scene. Unlike the armed ones, unarmed security guards in Maryland don’t carry firearms. Their effectiveness comes not from pincers but rather from training, vigilance and communication. They may be tasked with maintaining security, patrolling property, and monitoring some system of surveillance, reporting anything that is out of place so someone else can check it. They can often de-escalate situations just by being present with their cool and their presence of mind. To work as unarmed security guards, people have to fulfil state-mandated licensing requirements, which include background checks and certified training courses. These courses...