Unarmed Security Guard Requirements For South Carolina

Staying Sharp in the Palmetto State

It is a hot and muggy day in South Carolina. The rains have just cleared the skies and the sun is shining bright upon the landscape. It's a lush green for as far as the eye can see, with the exception of the bright white glint that catches your eye. You see nothing as you scan the bushes, but then it flashes again and you know something's up. It is only when you peer through your binoculars that you see another set of eyes staring back at you. There, crouched in the bushes is a man whose own binoculars are being used to case the perimeter of the warehouse you are protecting. Picking up the phone you notify the police, and within 10 minutes they have surrounded him and begun questioning his motives. A quick background check shows that he has a history of break in's, and today you've thwarted his latest attempt.

The crime rate in the state is rather high. Violent crimes occur at a rate of about 5 per 1,000 residents. This is higher than the national median of 3.8. While this is concerning to residents, of greater concern is the property crime rate which is climbing. It is currently at 35 per 1,000 residents. This is much higher than the national median of 26. This means that you will need to stay alert and bring your "A" game with you each day you come to work. If you don't, something can get stolen, or someone can get hurt.     

South Carolina requires unarmed security guards to be licensed. These are administered by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The process costs $65 dollars and can be completed rather quickly. In order to obtain a license, individuals must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and show proof of citizenship or the ability to work as a resident alien. Individuals must be able to show that they are physically fit, mentally competent, and possess good moral character. It's also imperative that individuals have a clean criminal background without any felony convictions.  

Individuals also need to show that they have received the proper training to work as a security guard in South Carolina. This means completing coursework in the role of private security, basic law, event response, first aid, surveillance, and customer service. Combined, these courses give security professionals the skills they need to ascertain threat levels and administration of the proper response when situations arise.  

The average salary for security professionals in South Carolina is $22,000 a year. Those who are willing to put in the effort and work the extra hours can make considerably more throughout the year. And, as with any profession, years of experience and additional training can move you up the salary scale as you advance within your career.  

Fortunately, South Carolina isn't a terribly expensive place to live and there are plenty of ways to stretch your budget. Overall, the state is less expensive than the national average. Healthcare and transportation are roughly the same as other places, while groceries and utilities tend to be higher. However, you will save a bundle on housing which is reasonable and easy to find. Thus, if you know how to shop on sale and buy in bulk, you will have no trouble making your salary feel like much more as you start your career.

As you begin searching for a job, consider taking a look at the Medical University of South Carolina, or Greenville Memorial Hospital. These employers have multiple facilities throughout the state and their security needs are ever growing. You might also consider taking a gander at BMW Manufacturing in Greer where their plant is busy turning out some of the best cars in the world. Other large employers include Piggly Wiggly, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the Ben Arnold Beverage Company in Ridgeway. Each of these employers offer a number of positions that you might be interested in applying for.

South Carolina is made up of a lot of "little big cities," and not the metropolises you will find in other states. Columbia and Charleston have populations of about 130,000, North Charleston comes in at just over 100,000, and Mount Pleasant tops off at about 75,000. If you would like a smaller community, then take a look at Summerville, Sumter, and Goose Creek which each have about 40,000 residents. Wherever you go you will find that these cities maintain plenty of southern charm and hospitality which means you will feel right at home from the moment you start to unpack.   

South Carolina's climate is subtropical. This means that it is hot and humid in the spring and summer, but rather mild in the fall and winter. This makes it a popular destination for "snowbirds" seeking to escape the snow up north. It also rains a lot with the average amount of precipitation throughout the year topping 80 inches in some places. Indeed, summer storms can dump massive amounts of rain in a short period of time. The winds can also be temperamental and it's not uncommon for a tornado or two to touchdown in the spring as the weather changes. Because the state is prone to extreme weather events, security guards should have training in disaster response, specifically in relation to tornadoes and floods which can damage infrastructure and create additional security challenges.

South Carolina may be a hot place to live, but it makes up for it with all the cool things there are to do when you are not working. If you love history, you'll delight in trips to Fort Sumter, Patriots Point, and the many plantations and museums located throughout the state. You can cool off at the Waterfront Park, or chill out at the South Carolina Aquarium. When you are ready to test your sea legs out, you can take to the water just off the coast where you will find some of the best deep sea fishing in the world. On those days when you are eager to explore nature, you can have a picnic at Falls Park on the Reedy, or take a boat trip through the swamps of Congaree National Park. Whatever your pleasure, there is no shortage of fun and exciting things for you to discover and enjoy when you live in South Carolina.