Please remove this threat

I'm not a manager or owner - work for security products vendor - but a camera in the office is a MUST. An absolute must. One of the hidden values of such a camera is protection of the front office.

dirkwood:

I think you make some great points about manager education and safety. One of the simplest things that I see ignored everyday in this business is the manager developing a pattern of when she/he makes the bank deposit. Once you have a regular routine you have exposed yourself to great danger in my opinion. So I urge everyone to vary the time of day that you go to the bank. I know that some owners will be upset with me for saying that, but leaving the office carrying the obvious bank bag at 12:15 is just not a good idea.

I have always told managers that they are neither policeman nor a fire fighter. Any sign of trouble dial 911 first and then try to help if you can do so safely.

One other thought is that you should always always have a phone of some type with you on the property. If your owner is reluctant to provide and pay for a cell phone, run over to Wal-Mart, Costco or Target and buy yourself an emergency pre-paid phone. The cost is fixed and you have a method to call for help or emergency services if something happens out on the grounds or while you are out in your car. .

MisterJim444

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Learning Never Ends

Also remember -most often if they enter the office all they want is cash -- GIVE IT TO THEM!!!!! Do not hesitate, do not stutter, do not try to be a hero -- in real life heroes get buried - just hand it over. This is the same speech I give my assistant all the time.

Also remember that a dry chemical fire extinguisher is a great weapon! Have you ever tried to breathe after getting shot in the face with one of those! I love them - they are better then a gun. I have two in the office (a small one next to the desk) and 4 more in the house.


That is all


Now please resume your normal duties

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Wayne
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.
webmaster@all-americanselfstorage.com

we have an emergency call button in our office as well - we always have to remind new employees that it's not an automatic gate opener! we also do an overnight deposit, so we don't have to go during the day. we also lock our door 30 minutes before we close, when we're counting the money and everything, so we have to manually let someone in the building. the owners have also told us that if we're alone for the day, as long as we watch the front door, we can keep it locked since our office is off the road a ways.

Well as a Karate School owner and manager of a storage facility, we teach our students to give them the money or what ever it is. But if it is your life they want then you should try to get away from the situation. We feel all managers/employees need to know some sort of self defense to protect there lifes. Not to use on someone who is mouthy or just rude. But if there is a threat you should know how to get out of danager.
As for the pepper spray... We don't like it as it can blow back in your face and then you are no good to protect your self. But that is our opion on that.

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Proud Karate Mom

Well we don't want anyone to have to use their training but we also don't want ppl just to let someone kill them. We understand that in this field of work we get alot of mouthy ppl who are upset and as a manager we are trained to talk someone out of being angry and find a good middle for both parties. What i was talking about with self defense is the last resource and as for Karate being for fun... Tell that to all the kids who have escaped kiddnapping. Karate is not just for fun, it can and will save your life. I dare you to tell my kids it is just a sport, my 16 year old daughter used it when a boyfriend tried having his way with her.I understand that is not right for everyone, but it is not just a sport.
I feel if you know your neighborhood and have a good security system and a plan if you get into a spot that you feel threaten. That is the key to have a PLAN. When we was apartment manager my husband made sure that I put the customers ID in the same spot on the desk so he could come in and see I am out showing a unit and who was with me. Also I never went in the apartment first and always turned the dead bolt before shutting the door that way I could just pull it open to get out in case of ER. As for our plan in this field... I put the ID on my desk and never go into the unit, just open it and let them walk in if they need to. We do have a cell with us at all times.We have a panic button at my desk. Those are the things you do to protect your self. But if i have to I will use my traing to get away, if i loose my job oh well it is just a job, my life is more important.
As for bank runs I agree with the never go at the same time and to lock the door when counting money. I don't have fears of anything happening here as our police headquarters is across the street. But you never know.
I hope i don't make anyone mad at me as this is just the way we live our lifes. Always staying aware of our surroundings that is what Martial Arts teaches first and foremost. Kicking and punching is just a part of it.

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Proud Karate Mom

Another thing is to let the police bring in there dogs to train them. Make sure you have a sign at the gate for that if you was to do it. It is a win win situation as you get them to be present onsite and they can tell you if you have a drug problem.

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Proud Karate Mom

Dirk - I think you missed the point of the previous post -- Talk to your local Police department about bringing in and training the drug sniffing dogs. they only bring in the dogs for a few hours (and if any of the dogs have an "accident" they clean it up).

This is something I have been pursuing - they haven't had a training session here yet, but I am in line for one of the next sessions.

I have actually told some tenants that we do this and in one case they decided not to rent here for long -- they were only here for a week before moving out.

Sometimes the threat is just as good a deterrent as the actual action.

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Wayne
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.
webmaster@all-americanselfstorage.com

We approached them about storage, but there is a competitor across the street from them that got to them first.

The Capt., told me that if they ever decide to change locations we are on the list as we have fewer calls then most others!

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Wayne
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.
webmaster@all-americanselfstorage.com