At the podium, Kevin Brown, Executive Vice President, SEIU Local 32BJPhoto: James Rojas/WBZ RadioNews
BOSTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — An effort is underway to require a minimum training standard for unarmed security guards in Boston.
Massachusetts is one of 22 states that currently do not have any such requirements.
Boston City Councilors Henry Santana and Ruthzee Louijeune are behind a proposed ordinance that would mandate employer-funded, city-certified training to establish and implement baseline safety standards.
The union that represents unarmed security guards in Boston, SEIU Local 32BJ, is behind the proposal.
Outside City Hall on Tuesday, security guards like Samuel Gomes Rodrigues Jr. spoke out over how a lack of training in this profession can put lives at risk. "People look to us for help," he said. "They assume we know what to do. But the training we have received over the past years has mostly involved us watching videos on a computer."
City Councilor Santana said there is a need for at least minimum training requirements. "When you're a security guard in any type of situation, an emergency can happen, and we want to make sure they are equipped with the proper training and be able to handle a lot of these different situations. Right now, that's not the case."
Among the requirements in the ordinance, employers would pay for an initial 40-hour training program within 90-days of hire for new workers, and within 180-days for existing employees.
Also, all unarmed security officers will undergo an annual eight-hour refresher training course.
If the ordinance passes, the city will certify training programs and courses.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.