NCJ Number
61692
Journal
Security Management Volume: 20 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1979) Pages: 42-44,46-48
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
SECURITY AT THREE LARGE RECREATIONAL PARKS IN THE CENTRAL PART OF FLORIDA (CIRCUS WORLD, SEA WORLD, AND WALT DISNEY WORLD) IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
DESPITE DIFFERENCES IN LOCATION AND SIZE THAT INFLUENCE SECURITY AT THE THREE PARKS, SEVERAL FACTORS ARE SIMILAR. EACH AREA HAS A LARGE PARKING LOT AND CONSEQUENTLY AUTOMOBILE THIEVES. THERE ARE SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS, WITH SHOPLIFTING AND EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYEE THEFT, AND EACH PARK IS STAFFED LARGELY BY TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS. SECURITY OFFICERS ARE A VISIBLE ELEMENT OF EACH SECURITY PROGRAM. UNIFORMED OFFICERS STAND OUT AND CARRY THE MAJOR PUBLIC RELATIONS BURDEN OF SECURITY. THEY MUST DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CAUSES PROBLEMS. PHYSICAL RESTRAINT IS USUALLY A LAST RESORT BUT IS AN EXPECTED FUNCTION OF SECURITY OFFICERS. SECURITY OFFICERS AT THE PARKS ARE OLDER THAN THE AVERAGE EMPLOYEE, AND THIS DIFFERENCE IN AGE LENDS MORE AUTHORITY TO THE OFFICERS. THE TURNOVER IN SECURITY OFFICER RANKS IS ALSO VERY LOW FOR ALL THREE PARKS. REASONS FOR THE LOW TURNOVER INCLUDE HIGHER THAN USUAL PAY FOR SECURITY OFFICERS AND THE IMPORTANCE PLACED BY MANAGEMENT ON THEIR FUNCTIONS. LARGE PARKING LOTS REPRESENT A MAJOR ASPECT OF SECURITY. PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED IN SECURITY PROCEDURES AND HOW TO HANDLE THE PUBLIC IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. SECURITY OFFICERS MUST TACTFULLY DEAL WITH THEFT, FIRE AND INJURY, AND SHOPLIFTING AND MUST TAKE MEASURES TO PREVENT VANDALISM. THE PROTECTION OF IMPORTANT PERSONS OR OFFICIALS IS ALSO A FUNCTION OF SECURITY OFFICERS. FENCES AND PERIMETER PATROLS AROUND PARKS GUARD AGAINST INTRUDERS. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)