Security providing Valet Services

[Dragonfyre024]

On one of my sites, there apparently is a problem with having enough parking spaces in the visitors lot. The problems are that obviously there are not enough but the first two types of people entitled to them are handicap individuals and VIP's. If any of which are turned away, despite following the post orders, an officer can be removed from the site.

One possible solution that a site supervisor would like to propose is some form security provided valet service. I personally have an issue with this because of the liability issues associated with it. If a vehicle is damaged in any way, immediately the security who did the valet will be blamed. I understand that this would be an effort to improve our customer service but we as security officers, should be touching personal property? I was always advised against it.

The solution I have in mind is mirrored from my other sites where we provide an escort service in the client's company vehicle. Either way would require an additional security officer on duty to provide this service. Any other suggestions or ideas or anyone know of a security company that provides such services?

[Chimpie]

Security should not be doing valet work. There are valet companies out there for that.

As for going through personal property, that's up to post orders. I've worked sites where we had to search (at certain times) any boxes, lunch boxes, brief cases, etc that employees or contractors were leaving with. We couldn't touch them. We had to ask them to lift things up, move things to the side. Real stupid IMO.

Then there were sites where we would do car searches of exiting employees. And when I mean searches, I mean searches. Like we made them exit their vehicle, turn over the keys, we would pop the hood, trunk, search all compartments, underneath seats, etc.

[HotelSecurity]

I've had to do worse than valet service. Most chain hotels that call themselves Airport hotels have to provide free shuttle bus service to & from the airport. Some of them require it during the operating hours of the airport. Others require it when ever a guest wants to go. In the winter we get elderly people who fly to Florida. They are told to be at the airport 2 hours before their flight. A lot want to give themselves extra time. We have requests to go at 03h00 when the airline staff don't even arrive after 05h00. They used to make us drive them to the airport. It's a 20 minute round trip! (And that is by doing 120km/hour coming back to the hotel empty! After a few fire alarms & ambulance calls that happened when we were absent they finally decided to pay taxis during the off hours.

[Mr. Security]

I've noticed that Securitas does this in some areas. I'm not sure how they deal with the liability issues.

[Andy Taylor]

This has been considered here at my small casino. We quickly ditched the idea of valet service done by security. We also looked into valet companies, but decided against that. Security has provided valet service on limited occasions, when approved on a case by case basis by the manager on duty. Post orders allow for this sort of thing. Basically the orders state that the MOD may authorize any action and as long as it is not illegal or unsafe we are to perform it and log it in the DAR. Management does not abuse this as they will hear from my boss if they do, and trust me, they don't want that. We do routinely provide "escort" (rides) in the golf cart to & from their vehicle for anyone who requests it.

[GCMC Security]

At the last hospital I was at we did valet service. It was a USO there from 07-15. We didn't have a whole lot of spots and if it filled up then that was it.

Here, after 2100 valet (a company) gives us the keys to put in the office. If someone wants their car, we go to the office and get them their keys but that's about it.

Sometimes at the ER we will park people's cars, otherwise you'll have them in front of the door forever!

[Dragonfyre024]

I've noticed that Securitas does this in some areas. I'm not sure how they deal with the liability issues.

Do you know which Securitas areas?

[N. A. Corbier]

First off, having a vehicle and giving "rides" means that the security company needs to have a professional driver at the wheel (some states do not have a license for people who professionally transport others), as well as increased commercial coverage on the vehicle for "rides for hire."

There's a lot of liability in putting someone in your company or client vehicle who is "for hire," as you're basically playing taxi driver without their paying. Most security companies only have insurance to cover the security company employee(s) driving or riding, not third party people.

When I drove a company car, it was impressed upon me that if I ever put someone else in it, I needed to drop them off at their destination then go home, get my uniforms, and drive the car to the office - because I would be fired the second I got to the office or they found out - whichever came first.

I used to have a post where we had a patrol car, and the client asked us to give rides to guests. The client told their front desk to stop that, because the client knew we didn't have insurance (and they weren't going to pay the hike in man hour wage for the additional rider) to transport anyone, and the guest would sue everyone if we got in an accident.

For those in the hotel industry, look at the insurance riders your shuttle service has, and your security company must match that at a minimum - because they're now shuttle drivers!

As far as valet parking, our local "private police" company does that at the hospital. While watching the front door. I don't think the "private police" company realizes what happens when the guard gets hit driving on a public street to the parking garage next door.

[Andy Taylor]

We have the needed insurance coverage. We are in house and the casino managment is very much on top of this sort of thing.

[Mr. Security]

Do you know which Securitas areas?

Yes. Hospital security. I can't really be more specific on a forum though.