Don't let your guard down
City Correspondent
Cashing in on the public's sense of insecurity did not appear a particularly good business opportunity even a decade ago. But growing crime has prompted corporate houses, banks and individuals to hire private security agencies to secure their houses, offices and, of course, money. After all, it seems preferable to pay someone else to worry about security risks rather than tackle them oneself. Security guards and using hi-tech systems run by a pool of retired army and police personnel are now regularly advertised. Apartment blocks, offices and hospitals almost without exception now have young men in uniforms and shiny boots guarding the entrance and perimeter, batons in hand. But the fledgling industry did not get off to such a smooth start. Few companies were there to begin with. In the past, city dwellers often employed men from their own home villages as guards who also doubled as caretakers. But rising security concerns along with a growing corporate culture, that considers employing security agencies as a status symbol, soon led to an expanding industry. Now, scores of security agencies offer their services: Active Force Security, Elite Force, Securex, Integrated Security Service and Al Baraka are just a few of the established companies. Employing guards privately can be a risky business, according to Sharif Ahmed, who had a bitter experience with two guards at his Khilgaon house. Both were involved in robberies on his house. Now he has a guard supplied by a company and is much happier. "Al Baraka takes responsibility of any wrongdoing by its guards," said Ahmed. But how far are the companies willing to take liability for their guards' acts? "We have already taken action against errant guards and the clients are satisfied with our services," said an executive of Elite Force. The companies have a selection procedure for guards before employing them. Sarbananda Das Ripon, director of Active Force Security, told Star City, "We look for young energetic men, aged between 18 and 35, in sound health. We train them up. Usually, retired military personnel give training. Before employing a security guard we inquire extensively about their background. We even carry out surprise visits to ensure their credibility. You see we need clearance from the home ministry to employ guards and fix their uniforms. Naturally we are extra-careful." The salary of the guards is negotiable between the company and clients and varies from company to company. But the average pay is usually between Tk 2,000 and Tk 10,000. The security firms also provide armed guards and special vehicles for money transfer. However, providing such services can tempt unscrupulous individuals into the business who set up bogus firms. So keep a look out, and be sure of secure security guards.
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