Heed Strip security officers’ concerns

Robert L. Candiotti, Las Vegas

Thursday, April 24, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.

Because I worked for four years, ending in 2005, as a security officer on the Strip at Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes and Fashion Show Mall I was naturally interested in the Las Vegas Sun’s Monday story “Security guards on Strip seek to organize.”

However, when I got to the sentence “Backup often came from inexperienced, part-time guards,” I felt I had something I wanted to say. I learned during my years doing Las Vegas Strip security that “backup” (providing or asking for additional support in a potentially dangerous or unpredictable situation) is at the core of the job. It’s simple: When another security officer radios for backup, you provide it. And when you call for backup, you expect it.

And my feeling is sufficient backup can be provided only when there is adequate staffing of full-time security professionals and good, ongoing training. So it really got my attention to read Strip security officers are making claims of meager staffing and inadequate training. To me, it is clear these things would be the exact antithesis to a competent backup culture.

I am sure most people who have never done security do not know the complexity and potential danger of the work. Even at a beautiful, fun and safe place such as Fashion Show, pretty hairy security situations did arise from time to time. Situations that most definitely required backup. When I was working at Fashion Show, I usually felt we had the place buttoned down precisely with professionalism, adequate staffing and excellent training.

So, to me, if Strip security officers are complaining today “of inadequate training and unsafe staffing levels,” this is significant stuff. If the situation requires, Strip security officers should unionize, I think.

On the other hand, if management is truly serious about providing what is needed without unionization, that voice should be listened to. I must say, though, if I were a security officer at Luxor right now, I would take with a grain of salt management’s statements of concern about security.

In any case, as a person who walked in their boots for several years, I know the Strip’s security officers deserve respect, safety, training and job protection. I would like to see them get it one way or another.