This is one of many reasons I stress that professionally armed security officers skilled in de-escalation, defensive tactics, non-lethal weapons, and firearms and have arrest or detain authority should be used. This unarmed observer and report guard could have been killed with that single blow to the head; why are businesses still hiring unarmed guards, especially at malls where people are vulnerable, and it takes one crazy, unhinged person to cause a mass casualty situation? Why do malls, corporations, churches, and other locations choose reactive security measures instead of proactive ones? What is your life worth for the members of your organization? How would you feel if innocent people were killed because you hired unarmed guards because you did not want to spend the money to hire armed professionals who have a much quicker response time than the police department since they are on-site? If you are a mall, corporation, or church that is taking proactive security measures, that is great. Keep it up, but let's create a safer environment for our customers, employees, congregation, clients, and ourselves by being proactive with our security measures and hiring professionals who can stop an active assailant.
Our thoughts are with the security guard who was hit with a hammer on the head today in yet another brazen daylight incident involving five offenders at an attempted aggravated robbery on a jewellery store in Mt Roskill at 4 pm. They tried forcing entry by breaking the door glass but couldn’t succeed. I was present immediately after the incident to offer our support to the shaken store owners. It is imperative that the police apprehend these offenders swiftly and that our justice system holds them accountable. A strong message must be sent: enough is enough.
