Armed Security Guard At King Scoopers??

[interloper1138]

Originally Posted by BabyBoomers2

But, ketchikanite, when the public sees and armed security guard in a grocery store or somewhere like Target, Khol's, Walmart, they can start wondering "what's going on?".

Oh, just the creeping rot of the American empire. Decades of neglecting social and economic issues tends to yield nasty results.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by interloper1138

Oh, just the creeping rot of the American empire. Decades of neglecting social and economic issues tends to yield nasty results.

I tend to see some of that in my interpretation of events and IMO it reflects the decline of cohesive social institutions (service clubs, civic groups, churches, union halls, etc) and the politics of the last 20 years where nothing matters, anything goes, no one cares and, more than ever, You're On Your Own (YOYO).

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

I tend to see some of that in my interpretation of events and IMO it reflects the decline of cohesive social institutions (service clubs, civic groups, churches, union halls, etc) and the politics of the last 20 years where nothing matters, anything goes, no one cares and, more than ever, You're On Your Own (YOYO).

YOYO, a.k.a.

Every man for himself
Dog eat dog
Survival of the “fittest” (which really means most violent, cheating, intimidating, and so on)
Anarchy

[StcLurker]

Originally Posted by pikabike

YOYO, a.k.a.

Every man for himself
Dog eat dog
Survival of the “fittest” (which really means most violent, cheating, intimidating, and so on)
Anarchy

It also means that the police can't be everywhere at once and when seconds count they are minutes away. YOU are responsible for YOUR safety. choose a cell phone, pepper spray or a firearm or just hope evil never visits you

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by StcLurker

It also means that the police can't be everywhere at once and when seconds count they are minutes away. YOU are responsible for YOUR safety. choose a cell phone, pepper spray or a firearm or just hope evil never visits you

We have always been responsible for our own safety, past childhood. That is nothing new.

Armed guards in retail stores in ordinary places (not previously high in violent crime) is a more recent change.

At our home, LE is almost always much farther away than minutes. That is nothing new in rural areas.

[ketchikanite]

Originally Posted by BabyBoomers2

Well, basically speaking, the only place I've seen an armed security guard was at a large bank. Last year, while at the Larimer County Fair, there were a number of county and local police officers/deputies roaming the fairgrounds. But, that can be a normal thing at a county/state fair.

Only other place I see an armed person in uniform, with a badge, is the VA Clinic in Loveland. They are Government Police.

But, ketchikanite, when the public sees and armed security guard in a grocery store or somewhere like Target, Khol's, Walmart, they can start wondering "what's going on?".

When I was an EMT in Compton, South Central and other parts of L.A., I'd see armed security in business all of the time. But, that was back in the late 70's.

When I see armed security guards in a business I think “it’s about time”. Crime has been on a dramatic uptick over the past few years. The armed security guards presence has a much more dramatic deterrent affect then an unarmed one. Cops can’t be everywhere.

[BarryK123]

I would think a low paid, inexperienced, rent-a-cop could do more harm than good. Have solo armed security guards in large buildings, such as schools, supermarkets, etc., ever been shown to be an effective deterrent?

[otowi]

In order to carry a gun as part of their job they have to go through some training. As to whether they have been a deterrent, I imagine it is hard to quantify the actions that people choose not to take, especially ones they wouldn't otherwise admit to. There have been a few instances of armed security taking out the shooter like that case at that big church in the Springs a few years back. But yes, someone carrying a gun without consistent training in how to use it in emergencies can be a liability to themselves and others.