As you already know, thieves aren’t typically after the vehicles themselves; valuable components such as GPS devices, transmissions, catalytic converters, and wheels are primary targets of theft at dealerships. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a skilled thief can strip a car of its significant components in approximately 30 minutes, then turn around and sell the parts for two to four times the vehicle’s value. Hiring a security guard sounds like the best solution, right?
Wrong. Here’s why:
Times Are Tough, And Security Guards Are Expensive
The mean annual wage for security guards in the United States is $33,030, which translates to $15.88 per hour – sounds pretty affordable, right? Nationwide, the average hourly rate for a security guard is $15-$25 per hour but could run between $30-$100+ per hour for more experienced or armed guards. The kind of guard you’ll need depends on whether you’re a used, luxury, ATV, or construction/utility vehicle dealership.
The average cost breakdown is as follows:
- Basic unarmed guard: $15-$20 per hour
- Basic armed guard: $20-$25 per hour
- Unarmed guard with advanced skills and experience: $30-$35 per hour
- Armed guard with advanced skills and experience: $35-$45 per hour
- Most experienced armed guard (off-duty police officers, ex-military, etc.): $60-$100 per hour or more
At the very least, you’ll want to avoid hiring basic guards lacking advanced skills and training. If you’re the dealership of higher-value inventory and require armed guard services, you and the security guards will need to account for higher-risk circumstances. Since there is a risk of injury or death if discharging a firearm, you will also need to pay for liability insurance if hiring armed or specially trained guards. One of the best ways to avoid these scenarios is to hire more experienced guards with advanced skills and training in deterring, de-escalating, and stopping criminal encounters.
There’s A Shortage Of Highly Trained And Qualified Guards
The most qualified guards require extensive training, primarily when the role can involve responsibilities such as carrying and operating a firearm and situational de-escalation. As you might imagine, the costs for training and certifications can prevent many nearly qualified guards from pursuing open guard vacancies, especially when many in-person security guard training programs are paused for health concerns. And when it comes to virtual training and certifications, many candidates recognize that virtual training formats simply don’t measure up to the usual in-person training and preparation necessary for guards to undergo. Thus, there’s now a shortage of highly qualified security guards.
You Don’t Need Security Guards
Maybe you thought that this entire time, but here’s the thing: No matter what kind of dealership you are, you need unbeatable security that stops crime before it ever happens, and you don’t need to shell out ridiculous amounts of money to have it. The convenience of having trained, remote professionals monitoring your dealership not only meets your dealership’s security needs but surpasses the effectiveness of security guards. Eyeforce Remote Guarding stops crime before it happens with virtual guards that provide complete coverage 24/7/365 with live video surveillance, immediate live audio intervention within seconds, and, if necessary, priority law enforcement dispatch.
Eyeforce Remote Guarding Gives You What A Security Guard Cannot:
- Cutting Edge Tech: High-resolution IP and thermal camera technology and AI-powered software with wired and wireless connectivity meet unique site needs.
- Expert Monitoring: Security operators monitor for, and review alarm triggers 24/7/365 within 15 seconds from our state-of-the-art monitoring center that processes 9+ million events annually.
- Live audio call-down deterrents can be implemented in under 45 seconds to scare intruders away.
- Streamlined Dispatch: Our specialists deploy video footage to request priority police dispatch in seconds.
- Total Control: Monitor alarm events in-progress from the Eyeforce Mobile app and check on employees and multiple locations at any time from anywhere.
Stopping crime isn’t just what we do: It’s what we believe in!
Visit: eyeforce.com/contact-us or call 888-393-3672 today to speak with an expert about Live Remote Guarding at your Dealership.
