Unarmed Security Guard Requirements For Ohio

Keeping Your Eyes Peeled as a Security Guard in the Buckeye State

It's late and you are tired. You sip your coffee and savor a Danish as you peer into the flickering monitors before you. The occasional car passes by, but for the most part, it's an uneventful evening. That all changes at 3 AM when one of those cars stops to take a look around. Not noticing the camera overhead, the driver emerges with his tools of the trade and you smirk because you know your telephone is faster than his bolt cutters. 

You are on the phone with the police in less time than it takes to say "snap." You give them a description of Slim Jim the Burglar and zoom in on his license plate as he makes his way through the gate and towards the building's entrance. He's only halfway there when the sound of sirens and the blur of flashing lights stops him cold. He bolts for his car, but before he gets there it is surrounded by two patrol cars that end his crime spree. You have done your job, and you have done it perfectly. Not only is your employer happy, but you have done your part to make the community a little bit safer.

That's life as a security guard in the Buckeye State. It's not a particularly violent state, with the violent crime rate hovering around 2.8 per thousand residents. That's far lower than the national median of 3.8. However, the property crime rate is 28 per thousand residents, which is higher than the national median of 26 per thousand. This high property crime rate means that companies and private individuals are eager to hire and train top notch security guards to keep their homes and businesses safe from Slim Jim and his Bolt Cutter Gang.

Unarmed security professionals in Ohio must be registered within a week of their employment. However, they do not have to be licensed so long as their employer is licensed. The registration costs $25 and in many cases this is paid for by the employer. Security guards must be at least 18 years old, a US citizen, and have no felony convictions or misdemeanors for violence, theft, or fraud. They have to pass a background check, and show that they are of good moral and mental character. Employers also want their employees to have a valid driver's license, possess good communication skills, and be physically fit. They will also want to see that the security guard has a keen eye for detail and can recognize strange and threatening behaviors.

The climate in Ohio varies throughout the year with the state experiencing four very distinct seasons that are typical of a continental climate. It's cold in winter, mild in spring and fall, and hot in the summer. You will see plenty of snow in the winter, and more of it the closer you live to Lake Erie. Overall, the weather doesn't change much during the seasons so it makes it easy to plan your wardrobe and dress appropriately for the weather that day.  

The state's large numbers of rivers and lakes means that flooding can be a problem in the spring and winter. You will almost definitely encounter one or two snow storms during the winter. You might also see a tornado or two during the summer months. Because of these extreme weather events, employers cherish employees who have training in protecting lives and property during emergency weather conditions.   

Ohio's largest employers are Wal-Mart, the Cleveland Clinic Health System, Kroger, and Ohio State University. Each of these companies have operations throughout the state which means there is plenty of opportunities to find a job in the community of your choice. Security guards in Ohio earn an average salary of $21,000 per year. As with all professions, the salary goes up with training, experience, and years on the job.

There are roughly 11.5 million people in Ohio. Nearly 825,000 live in Columbus, with 390,000 living in Cleveland, and another 300,000 living in Cincinnati. These are by far the state's most popular cities. These cities also have some of the state's highest crime rates which means there are plenty of employment opportunities for security guards looking to get their feet in the door. Each of these cities has a "big city" feel to them, and if you are looking for something a little more laid back and relaxed, you might consider looking for a job in Dayton, Akron, Parma, Canton, or Toledo which are considerably more relaxed. 

The cost of living in the Buckeye State is quite a bit less than the national average. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare costs are on par with the national average. However, housing is considerably less expensive. The cost of housing in Ohio is about 35% less than other states which means that you can buy a house and live comfortably without having to worry about making the mortgage payment. In fact, the average single-family home in Ohio costs about $120,000 which is far lower than the national average of $170,000.

There are plenty of things you can do in Ohio when you are not on the clock. You can head over to Cedar Point to enjoy the roller coasters. You can drop a line in Lake Erie and see what's biting. If you are a baseball fan, you will no doubt want to catch the Cincinnati Reds or Cleveland Indians during the summer. In the fall and winter, you can cheer on the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. And, of course, there's always the famous college teams that are a big part of the state's sports culture. If you like history, you will love the National Museum of the United State's Air force near Dayton, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, or the ever popular Christmas Story House which is also in Cleveland.