Avoiding anger / letting stress go

[Condo Guard]

My current site seems to go in waves - relatively quiet, then busy day after busy day. Lately we've been dealing with group after group of shoplifters and petty thieves. Condo's tongue apparently has gotten a little sharper than it should be for high end customer service (according to the higher ups).

I'm not new to this - where I used to work had an on site bar, so dealing with insulting people who don't want to comply is nothing new. I have reviewed my Verbal Judo, bought a big box of herbal tea for after work (and no, that isn't a euphemism - it's actually tea), etc. But I imagine those working in hospitals, section 8 housing complexes, etc. face the same stresses. Any tips? I've got to hold on until my vacation next month.

[Soper]

It’s just business, never personal.

[Condo Guard]

Agreed. I think the frustration (and it is shared by the loss prevention officers on the site) is seeing the same faces day in and day out, with no consequences. It is all a big game to them; to me, it's my job. But the problem is due to the city council's policies, and that will only change when the people of Seattle want a change. I feel bad for the merchants that get ripped off and the customers who have to pay more, but they have to start creating pressure on the politicians.

I just have to re-master the technique of letting it all be forgotten when the uniform comes off, until the uniform goes back on...

[Soper]

Yep. Keep all your case copies. When one of the unwashed kills somebody, give the cases to the attorneys, so they can win the lawsuit against the city,

[rpmacmurphy]

I agree in that you definitely have to keep it professional. It’s really easy to bring the work home with you, especially when you’ve been doing it a long time. It is important to remember to not stoop to the level of some of the “clientele” you are likely dealing with. Having done loss prevention in the past, I can certainly empathize.

It is frustrating when you have the ability and tools to effectively do your job, and then have the higher ups (corporate, brass, politicians, etc.) implement misinformed policy that does nothing but make your job harder.

Best you can do is do your job within the rules and regulations provided, and keep fighting the good fight. Hopefully that vacation time helps too.

[copelandamuffy]

Agreed. I think the frustration (and it is shared by the loss prevention officers on the site) is seeing the same faces day in and day out, with no consequences. It is all a big game to them; to me, it's my job. But the problem is due to the city council's policies, and that will only change when the people of Seattle want a change. I feel bad for the merchants that get ripped off and the customers who have to pay more, but they have to start creating pressure on the politicians.

I just have to re-master the technique of letting it all be forgotten when the uniform comes off, until the uniform goes back on...

Big problem is PEOPLE DO NOT VOTE. Case in point,. I live in a town of about 10,000 residents 50 miles south of Boston
We had a recent election.
Finance Committee
Board of Assessors
School committee
Selectman, Selectwomen....Much like a Mayor

10,000 residents. 7,000 eligible to vote
A paltry 8% of the registered voters, voted

And the residents who did not vote will piss, and moan the way the town is operated

My town is a good town. Voted to make sure our men, and women in blue get the best
We voted for a new police station, and more Cops on the streets
One police woman I know, sad "It puts a fire in your belly, knowing the townies are standing next to you"

[Consolewatcher]

Just remember that they aren't stealing your stuff; they're stealing someone else's stuff. Do the best job you can given your training/abilities/authority/tools, and if that means that your property still gets robbed blind that's not your fault.

[Condo Guard]

All good points. These people are committing crimes for various reasons, none of them having anything to do with me. And I have no control over corporate or city policies, so you're right - just do the job within the parameters set out.

And I've found in my long career that criminals do get caught eventually, even if it is way down the line. Or they figure it out and decide to become part of legitimate society. I always remember the drug dealer I knew who bragged about how much more money he made than me, all the girls he had, etc. I told him one day, "That's great, but you know what - I don't have to look over my shoulder all the time. If a cop follows me in my car I don't panic - he's either going the same way I am, or at worst I have a tail light out. And a woman who goes out with me must really like me, because I don't have any money to impress her with."

I didn't persuade him to change, but we agreed we all have our own path in this life...

[FederalSecurity]

The only advice I can offer is to focus on a couple of hobbies on your days off, and don't think once about work until

you're driving to your next shift. Like to shoot? Blow the dust off of your guns and go out shooting. Like wrenching on

cars? Look online to see if the local junkyards have that wrecked limited edition with those rare factory cupholders

that you wish your basic model came with. Try your best to leave work at work, and concentrate on having a life for a

couple of days.