Security Guards' Plight: Risk Is High, Pay Is Low

A New York Times story on the prevalence of security guards in America contains what might be a surprising stat to many: The US has about 1.3 million such guards at institutions of all kinds, more than the number of police and sheriff patrol officers in the nation, writes Kurtis Lee. The potential problem? By and large, these guards are underpaid and undertrained compared to their police counterparts, even though they face the same complex and dangerous situations, including mass casualty events and assailants with mental health crises.

Security guards make less than $19 an hour on average, often as contractors without solid benefits, and operate under a patchwork of weak training rules. Unions are pushing for higher pay and standards, notching recent wage wins in New York City and Baltimore, for example, but losing a major fight over a statewide minimum in California. The story follows guards like 65-year-old Gerald Walker, who works security at a San Diego office building and considers himself a first responder—but needs a side job to get by. Read the full story.