Those
who know me say I am a good person with a heart of compassion for the
job. Those who do not wish they did. These are my stories from the
city of sin.
After
living in Las Vegas, Nevada for the past 3 and half years (13 now), I
think I have read every little piece of free, and paid for literature
this town has to offer. Each one has something to say about casinos,
hotels, office buildings, and workers in casinos; mainly Hospitality.
I have yet to see any article or subject matter speaking on the most
important, yet least favorite, least appreciated, underpaid, and
overwork employees in hospitality; Security Officers. There is
nothing. Zilch. Nada. Zero.
If
you ask anyone, they will say the same thing, nobody talks about the
Security Officers around this town. In addition, to think, everywhere
you turn there is a Security Officer standing at his/her post
somewhere in Las Vegas and the whole of Clark County. Face it,
Security Officers are everywhere in this town, so why people won't
pay them a decent livable wage. With that in mind, working in
Security, is slightly similar to real Law enforcement, it is one of
the recession proof jobs in Las Vegas even though your bosses do not
want to pay you a real salary. Nobody appreciates, nor respect, a
Security Officer; yet, we have to learn so much about being one. The
training is non stop; CPR, First Aid, Radio transmissions,
Dispatching, Firearms, Handcuffs, Evacuation, and the worst of all
Customer Service. All in a days shift. Amazing isn't it? (You don't
care), I bet the only thing you have to know at your job is how to
count money and where the bathroom is. To have so much responsibility
and to get starting pay at the lowest of minimum wage at most
companies. If you are an Armed Officer, then you can expect a little
bit more on the pay scale (any tactical training is usually out of
your own pocket). This reminded me that the hardest working people in
your neighborhood gets the crappiest and lowest pay of everyone
around you, Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Bus drivers, and
Maintenance crews.
Back
to Security, one thing I truly noticed about being employed as a
Security Officer at one of the Strip s most luxurious hotel/casino.
People from all lifestyles treat you as if they just step in
3-day-old pig manure. NO RESPECT whatsoever. You get more comments on
why you have this job, than, thank you's. When something happens, who
they call first? It damn sure is not Ghostbusters, its Security. With
my belief of how bad the people around here are, I believe if a
person could getaway with spitting in the face of a Security Officer,
they will do it. If the Security Officer responds by kicking the ass
of said person, he/she would be fired with no support from the desk
of upper management. If that happens to me, I will beat the
ever-loving shit out of you. Then, beat the shit out of upper
management with a lawyer who has five syllables in his name.
Another
thing that is also is hard to believe is when you apply for a
Security position, or even a Bus driver, you go through a thorough
three-month federal and state background check. This involves the FBI
checking on you, all that personal, secret information for all of
them to see so that you can work for a $9.00 an hour position.
Fascinating, isn't it? Just stop for a moment and think about the job
you have and how they bypass a majority of background checking so you
can get to work as soon as possible. You may ask yourself, Why people
become Security Officers? Every Security Officer with a decent sense
of right and wrong, and common sense know this is an excellent start
to filling out your resume, if you plan to pursue a Law Enforcement
or Legal career. Treat it like a small stepping-stone to something
you plan for bigger in your life. Most young people, a Security
position is a great way to get a start on Criminal Justice,
Forensics, or any other type of Law profession. Nobody thinks that
this type of work looks good on your resume, and it can help a great
deal when in school, any Security position. All of them require that
you learn certain rules and regulations for your assign posts. That
alone can help you when learning the laws in your state or town you
live in.
Not
leaving the older generation out of the loop, older people are
applying for Security jobs for the extra support of income because
they damn well are not able to do anything else. When the shit hits
the fan. For most, no matter if you have enough money after
retirement to not work anymore. You can still get extremely bored
sitting around the house all day. I know that some elders who do not
have to work anymore, instead, they choose to. (Even if they really
should stay home away from other people). That is something else
about a Security job, it has longevity. True longevity. In most
cases, all you have to do is keep your eyes open and be able to talk
on a radio. In addition, if there are no complications while
employed, you can be with the company for a long time while
complimenting that monthly pension and Social Security.
Let
us face it; there is no use in retiring nowadays with this economy.
From the way today s young people look and sound, I am afraid of
giving up any position I may hold for them to take over in the
future. That is all for now, I will have more stories from other
Officers from across this town for you to squirm at.
