Full Editorial
Though the term shack might have some negative connotations associated with it, modern guard booths are anything but shacks in the classical sense. These highly sophisticated checkpoints provide a convenient location for your organization’s security guards to rest and keep an eye on the situation. Installing one in front of your office park is an excellent way to keep things safe, even if it tends to attract a large number of visitors on a weekly basis. Take a closer look at these three benefits, and it’s likely you’ll want to install your own guard shack.
1. Crime Deterrence
Quite possibly the most common reason people install a guard shack is because they want to cut down on crime before it even happens. Would-be vandals and thieves might start to think twice about their nefarious plans the moment they catch a glimpse of a guard shack. The sheer fact that there’s a possibility someone might see them is often more than enough to end an altercation before it ever gets going. Some organizations have even elected to install multiple guard shacks in the hopes of increasing the odds that burglars would see them before they decided to try anything.
2. Providing Controlled Access
When groups of people visit an office park together, it’s easy for bad actors to slip in behind a legitimate crowd. A custom guard booth stands between your office park and the outside world. When people want to enter, they have to go through and check in. That provides a complete log of when visitors arrived and left, thus helping your organization track down anyone who damaged or stole property when they were inside the park. Individuals who’d want to sneak into an otherwise open office park will find it extremely difficult to do so if they have to go through a dedicated checkpoint. Even if they were able to somehow gain entry, they’d have to go past the guard shack again when leaving. That gives your staff another chance to put a stop to whatever mischief they’re trying to cause.
3. Regular Emergency Response
In spite of the word guard being in the name, there are many other reasons to install these shacks besides simply keeping out would-be bad actors. Whenever there’s any kind of emergency, guard booth staffers are on hand to help out. If someone needs first aid, then there’s often a kit inside. There’s also usually a telephone, which makes it easy to call for an ambulance or fire truck if there is any kind of accident.
Depending on the size of your office park, you might even want to store a supply of maps in your guard shack. When someone new comes looking for a specific office, the guard can take down their information and offer them a map. They can pass out parking badges and any other documents needed to get people acclimated with your property. Educational institutions and larger research campuses should find this kind of arrangement extremely convenient.
Considering that guard shacks are some of the most cost-effective ways to provide all of these benefits, it’s surprising that more office parks haven’t already put them in.
