Unfortunately, it's a well-known issue that guards can be found sleeping in the gatehouses of gated communities, especially during night shifts and early mornings. Those of us in the industry sometimes refer to these times as the "snooze patrol" hours.
After visiting hundreds of communities across the country and speaking with security managers, I've stumbled upon a quirky discovery: the inventive ways guards fashion makeshift beds in their guardhouses. From crafting cot-like contraptions to simply slumping in their chairs, it's a real head-scratcher how they find any comfort. Honestly, seeing someone curled up in a chair, snoozing away, really makes you wonder—are they secretly mastering the art of comfort, or is it sheer determination to catch some Z's?
What's crucial to highlight, though, is that even while catching some Z's, guards are usually still within the guardhouse. Yet, I encountered a particularly unique situation a year ago while visiting a more high-end gated community.
I arrived around 6 am, ready to check in with the guard, yet there was no one in sight. I waited, thinking they might be using the restroom or checking something in a back room. After five minutes, my patience turned into curiosity, and I decided to take a closer look around. That's when I spotted the guard's car and was shocked. The car had been transformed into a makeshift bedroom. The front seat was reclined all the way back, and his feet were up on the dashboard, serving as an impromptu bed. The guard must have had experience doing this before because he also brought a blanket and pillow.
While amusing, this discovery raises serious concerns. In a role where being present in the guardhouse and AWAKE is of utmost importance, finding a security guard asleep on the job—not just anywhere, but in a car equipped for comfort—highlights a significant lapse in duty and exposes a vulnerability in the community's security. This incident prompts questions about the safety of residents and the reliability of those assigned to protect them.
It serves as a vivid reminder of the human factor in security measures and the need for a critical reassessment of security protocols, guard training, and the overall well-being and working conditions of security personnel.
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