Frontline and Forgotten: Addressing Condo Security and the Rise of Security Guard Violence

How Safe Is Everyone in Your Condo Corporation... Guards included?

While condo residents and board members expect to feel safe in their homes and corporation, just as condo managers and vendors are entitled to safety in their workplace, it’s often condo security guards that are the front line and falling through the safety cracks in condominium corporations.

The ongoing climate of security guard violence in Ontario was brought into the spotlight in October 2023, when Michael Ferdinand was shot dead while working as a security guard. Several other incidents of violence against security guards have made headlines since, with the most famous being the security guard gunned down by Drake’s home.

Yet, the condominium community has not fully acknowledged how the escalation of violence against security personnel is impacting our industry—nor has it addressed the liability and responsibility to create safer working conditions for those who are often the first point of contact for frustrated residents.

So, what happens when those whom we demand safety first are at record-high levels of needing safety themselves?

Are the requirements of this “job” even, or ever, in line with our expectations and the appropriate compensation?

But, most importantly,...

What can we do, as a collective condo community, to protect our security guards against harassment and violence, just as we’re striving to protect condo managers, directors, and residents against the same troubling trend of incivility in condominiums?

Let’s explore this issue together.

Beyond the Concierge Desk: The Critical Role of Condo Security Guards

Many residents, boards, and even condo members believe that condo security has a simple job, often referring to these professionals as “concierge.” However, that is far from the reality of the job.

“Everything that police deal with, I would suggest, is magnified in the security world because they don’t have the protections, nor the training or the police equipment,” Lucian Cedrone, spokesperson for the Security Guard Association of Ontario, shared with The Toronto Star (May 9, 2024).

This includes situations dealing with mental health, which occurs often in condominiums, as well as interactions with people experiencing homelessness, especially in city center condos.

Considering that many guards make barely more than minimum wage, it’s a lot of risk and responsibility to expect of any professional in this role. It’s certainly not as simple as “concierge.”

Here’s how what you’re paying your security guards impacts their retention and the level of expertise, service, and security your condominium corporation receives.

Security Guard Violence: A Growing Concern in Ontario

How Pervasive is Violence Against Security Guards?

This is an excellent question, and we’ll turn to an eye-opening LinkedIn post from an industry leader and top voice advocating for safety for security guards.

“The numbers are in and they are not flattering. The Security Guard Association of Ontario last month completed a Freedom of Information filing for the WSIB and the Ministry of Labour for Ontario.

The Security Guard Association of Ontario requested any and all information related to injuries of security guards within the province from 2013 to 2023. The WSIB provided information from 2013 to 2022. The Ministry of Labour provided information from 2013 to 2023 although some information was not included which included criminal code offences where an investigation was still ongoing” - Paul Carson, Vice-President at Regal Security.

Here’s the shocking information, summarized from The SGAO’s FOI request:

So the pattern that has been established are these:

• WSIB

  
  

  • 2013 to 2017 (5 years aggregate) total number of claims 2410, which equated to 13,553 million in claims paid out (approximately).

    
    

  • 2018 to 2022 (4 years aggregate) total number of claims 3174, which equated to 24,044 million in claims paid out (approximately). The WSIB denotes 12 fatalities in that time, which does not include Mike Ferdinand.

What the Numbers Don’t Show: Unreported Incidents and Industry Silence

As stunning as the statistics already are, what’s more alarming is the likelihood that the majority of such unfortunate situations remain unreported. Carson believes this is likely because reporting incidents of violence against security guards is bad for business, and may also put condominium corporations in a sticky situation if the perpetrator is a board member or resident. 

However, Carson stresses the importance of being “level when applying the rules”, and that ultimately means having zero-tolerance for harassment and violence against all condo workers, including security guards.

Does your condominium have an Anti-Harassment Rule? Find out how to quickly and easily implement one ASAP (free template)! >>

This is a tough, but important issue, and dialogue is paramount to protecting security guards working in condominium corporations across Ontario. 

“The conversation must be honest, not guarded”, states Paul Carson, Vice-President at Regal Security. We fully agree (and can’t help but to also acknowledge the unintentional pun, Paul!). 

Where Do We Go From Here to Protect Security Guards in Ontario’s Condominium Industry?

If you’re in immediate danger:

If you’re a security guard and you feel threatened or unsafe in your workplace, find a safe place and call 911 immediately.  Once the emergent situation is dealt with and it is safe to do so, ensure that you contact your employer, and consider also reporting the incident to the condo corporation’s leadership (condo manager and/or board of directors). Consider reading this guide on the law regarding harassment and violence in the workplace.

If you see a security guard that’s in danger: 

Call 911 or seek additional help immediately. Do what you can to safely assist them, if possible. Unless it is unsafe to remain, don’t leave the area until police (or other assistance) has responded to the situation and you’ve left your contact information, in case any follow-up questions arise.

If you’re a board member or condo manager who’d like to proactively prevent harassment and violence against security guards in your condo corporation: 

Speak to your staff about what their needs are to feel safe in their workplace, and whether they have any suggestions for additional measures that may be helpful. Consider bringing in supervisors from the security guard company to assess any risks and provide actionable proposals to increase the safety and security of the on-site guards. 

We also recommend ensuring that the corporation or security guard company has the appropriate procedures for how security guards should deal with situations that may escalate to threatening or violent behaviour, and running the required drills with staff so that they may be familiar with the actions that they should take in such situations. 

Consider implementing an Anti-Harassment Policy in your condo. >>

Implementing Anti-Harassment Policies in Your Condo

Condo corporations must take proactive steps to protect security personnel. Implementing a clear anti-harassment policy is a crucial first step. This policy should:

• Define unacceptable behaviors.

• Outline reporting procedures.

• Establish consequences for violations.

Condo boards can access free templates to develop and implement such policies effectively.

Joining the Security Guard Association of Ontario: Advocating for Change

Join the Security Guard Association of Ontario to Help Advocate for the Safety of Security Guards in Condominiums: We all know that there’s strength in numbers, so let’s come together and show up to prevent harassment and violence against security guards in Ontario’s condominiums - and everywhere else. No person should feel unsafe at work, or be worried about losing their life while on the job. 

Join the SGA now >

In conclusion, the harassment and violence against security guards in Ontario’s condominium industry is a pervasive problem, but it’s one that we can collectively come together and work towards a better future for all. It’s all our responsibility, and perhaps can even end up as one’s liability, to start having open and honest conversations about this issue and what we can do to protect those who we hire as professionals to protect us.

Let's start protecting those who protect us.

-Stratastic Inc.

P.S. Did you know that Stratastic has a Condo Safety group that you can join (it’s free)? It’s an excellent hub for all sorts of related resources, and a place where Condoland citizens can share their experience with harassment and violence in condominiums, as well as seek support. Check out our Condo Safety group, and sign up now!

P.S.S. Don’t forget to subscribe now for future condo-centric articles like this, and be the first to know every time we publish more!