| Best For |
Office towers, residential lofts, mixed-use buildings, and commercial high-rises where lobby access control, floor patrols, elevator monitoring, and visitor verification are the primary security needs. This covers the majority of high-rise properties in Southern California. |
High-rise buildings that have experienced violent incidents in the lobby or parking structure, house executives or tenants with credible personal threats, or are located in downtown corridors with consistently high violent crime rates requiring an elevated level of protection. |
| Tenant Perception |
Unarmed guards provide a professional and approachable lobby presence that tenants, employees, and visitors are comfortable interacting with daily without feeling like the building is a restricted or heavily securitized facility. |
Armed guards create a more visible security posture that some tenants and visitors find reassuring while others may perceive it as intimidating. The appropriateness depends on the building's tenant mix and the specific threats the property faces. |
| Daily Responsibilities |
Lobby access control, visitor verification, elevator and stairwell monitoring, multi-floor patrols, parking structure coverage, rooftop access control, incident documentation, and tenant assistance. These are the core functions required at most high-rise properties. |
Same core responsibilities as unarmed guards with the added capability of responding to armed confrontations, violent threats, and high risk situations that occur at the lobby entrance, parking structure, or common areas that exceed what an unarmed guard is equipped to manage. |
| Training and Licensing |
All unarmed guards hold a valid BSIS Guard Card and complete the required training hours including powers to arrest, weapons of mass destruction awareness, and ongoing continuing education as required by the State of California. |
Armed guards hold a BSIS Guard Card plus an additional BSIS Firearms Permit. They complete additional firearms training, qualify at a licensed range, and must renew their firearms qualification annually on top of standard guard card requirements. |
| Cost |
Unarmed high-rise security guards in Southern California typically range from $25 to $35 per hour depending on building size, number of floors, coverage hours, and number of guards required. |
Armed high-rise security guards cost more due to the additional licensing, firearms training, and insurance requirements. Rates vary based on the assignment and can be discussed during the consultation. |
| Recommendation |
Owl Sight Security Services recommends unarmed guards for the majority of high-rise properties. Unarmed coverage provides the lobby access control, multi-floor patrols, and incident response that buildings need without creating an environment that feels overly securitized for tenants and visitors. |
Armed coverage is recommended only when a specific and credible security concern justifies it. Your account manager will assess your building and advise whether armed guards are necessary based on the actual risk profile of your property rather than a blanket recommendation. |