Is this security guard a jerk? Or am I overreacting?

[Roody]

I work the evening shift in a hospital, but in a building that's off the beaten path. For years, I parked my bike outside my building, chained to a railing, under a light and in view of a security camera. One night, my front tire was stolen off the bike. Around the same time, other bikes on campus were vandalized. So I started taking my bike inside the building while I was working. I took it down some back stairs and into a little used break room/storage room in the basement. Almost every night when I left work, various security guards would see me bringing my bike out of the the building. They would just wave as I rode off into the darkness. This went on for about a year. I was happy with the arrangement, and I'm not aware of any complaints.

A couple weeks ago a guard pulled up in one of the SUV patrol vehicles and told me I couldn't take the bike into the building. A long, rather heated discussion ensued. The only reasons he could give me were, "We don't have room for everybody to take their bike inside" (I'm practically the only associate who bike commutes) and "People who drive can't take their vehicles inside, so it isn't fair to them." I told him about getting my wheel ripped off, and he said, "Well, somebody was siphoning gas out of a car here, so you're not the only one with problems. You choose to bring your bike here on a nice spring day, so you have to take your chances." (I ride all year long.)

Another thing this guard said was amusing. "I knew you were taking your bike in there but it took me two weeks to catch you." I asked him if he had devoted that much time to catching the wheel thief and the gas siphoner. He did NOT appreciate that remark.

So far, I've been parking outside, hoping he'll give up on me and I can go back inside before something happens to my bike. Any ideas what I should do to handle this better? Or should I just give up and park outside? What do you all do with your bikes at work?

[ModoVincere]

Can you talk to the Hospital Administrator or the Building manager? Explain that the bike is you main source of transportation and that the front wheel was already stolen once when you parked it outside. Perhaps they would be willing to make a policy exception for you and intercede with this security officer/crew.

[Bander]

Can you talk to the Hospital Administrator or the Building manager?

Yeah, the security guard most likely doesn't have the authority to tell you whether you can put the bike in the building or not (unless someone higher up has instructed him to). Talk to someone that matters, then if you get permission you can put the security guy in his place if he gives you a hard time.

[maddyfish]

^^^^^^^^+1 ignore security guards.

[bragi]

You're not over-reacting; the guard's an idiot, and very likely has no authority to make decisions of this kind. I'd talk to to the plant manager, or whoever's in charge of the actual building, or even your own immediate supervisor, if you enjoy good a good relationship with him/her.

I put my bike in the school storage room when I go to work, and so does one other teacher who bikes to school. So far, no one has complained. (I used to lock it up outside, but I disciplined a student once and he took out his frustrations on my tires.)

[TuckertonRR]

when I first started commuting regularly, I got 2 negative comments from a supervisor. I've since found 2-3 out of the way places I can store the bike, both inside & outside. Since the building I work at is on the edge of a heavy-industrial area, there aren't too many ppl just walking about - they gotta have business with my company, or the other two that are in the same complex. If someone sees somebody that doesn't belong _anywhere_ on the property, we call the shift supervisor who calls security.

Besides talking with your supervisor/building manager/etc, and concerned about wheel/etc theft, you could take the wheels off & keep them in your cubicle (if you have one) or lock them up too, with a seperate ulock. I use two, one for the back wheel/back tube to latch onto whatever, looped into a cable lock, cable lock goes into ulock #2 in the front wheel. So it's pretty secure. Bike bag, lights, etc goes into my locker.

And yes, the rent-a-cop 's a jerk.

[Roody]

Can you talk to the Hospital Administrator or the Building manager? Explain that the bike is you main source of transportation and that the front wheel was already stolen once when you parked it outside. Perhaps they would be willing to make a policy exception for you and intercede with this security officer/crew.

I found out that the person I'm supposed to talk to is the head of security and parking. He works across town and I've never met him. I'm a little worried that he'll side with his subordinate (the security guard) and I won't have anybody to appeal to.

[Roody]

when I first started commuting regularly, I got 2 negative comments from a supervisor. I've since found 2-3 out of the way places I can store the bike, both inside & outside. Since the building I work at is on the edge of a heavy-industrial area, there aren't too many ppl just walking about - they gotta have business with my company, or the other two that are in the same complex. If someone sees somebody that doesn't belong _anywhere_ on the property, we call the shift supervisor who calls security.

Besides talking with your supervisor/building manager/etc, and concerned about wheel/etc theft, you could take the wheels off & keep them in your cubicle (if you have one) or lock them up too, with a seperate ulock. I use two, one for the back wheel/back tube to latch onto whatever, looped into a cable lock, cable lock goes into ulock #2 in the front wheel. So it's pretty secure. Bike bag, lights, etc goes into my locker.

And yes, the rent-a-cop 's a jerk.
These are good suggestions. I do have another lock I could use to secure the wheel to the frame. I'm still worried about vandalism, since that happened to somebody else last year.

When I first started commuting I talked with security about where to park. They took me in their office and showed me the monitors and we figured out a place that's seen by the cameras and is in an inner courtyard. It turns out that they apparently don't watch the monitors very carefully, if somebody had time to walk into the courtyard and remove the wheel.

[bragi]

I found out that the person I'm supposed to talk to is the head of security and parking. He works across town and I've never met him. I'm a little worried that he'll side with his subordinate (the security guard) and I won't have anybody to appeal to.

It can't hurt to talk to him. Be calm and reasonable; maybe it'll be easier to resolve than you think.

[cradduck]

You can arrange to have the meeting over the phone. It is a lot easier to say no to someone when you aren't looking the in the face, but at least can ask him who signs his checks (who is above him) when you talk to him.


You can also contact HR, but I would keep working my way up the food chain before you go to them.

[filtersweep]

Oh the irony. If the security guys did their jobs, there would be no need to bring your bike indoors.

I would ignore them.

[maddyfish]

I found out that the person I'm supposed to talk to is the head of security and parking. He works across town and I've never met him. I'm a little worried that he'll side with his subordinate (the security guard) and I won't have anybody to appeal to.

Don't do this^^^^^ Ask your own supervisor, or anybody else that will say yes. Then go directly to the offending guard and tell him "my supervisor(or whoever else) said I could park here"

Of course the guards boss will side with him, not you.

[Artkansas]

Rudy,

Yes, the guard is a jerk.

Siphoning gas is nothing compared to the loss of a wheel. Now if someone's car had been left up on blocks to take the rims, then you'd have something comparable.

By all means don't meet with the guard's supervisor. This is setting yourself up for failure and playing on their court. They are just trying to cover each other's butts.

You do need your supervisor or your supervisor's supervisor to do the talking. Guards don't set the rules, they merely enforce them. So what you need is permission of whoever is in charge of the room where you store your bike. I bet if it was a doctor's bike, they could park it wherever they please.

Good luck.

[Torrilin]

I'd explain the problem to your supervisor too. Be clear that you don't want to make a fuss or start a interdepartment fight, but you also don't want hundreds of dollars of bike gear walking away or getting vandalized. Your supervisor may not be able to do anything, but then again, it may turn out that the head of security and parking doesn't have a bit of say about what goes on inside the building.

[dingster1]

I was putting my bike just at then 1st entrace to our building when I first got it. Security made me put it inthe back hallway inside the main building. Wish you had guards like ours. :(

[Elkhound]

When I take my Trek, I take it into the building and park it in the hall by my office. Nobody has ever said anything.

When I take my Xtracycle, I can't do this as it is too long to put in the elevator; hence, I go in through the loading dock. A guard tried to tell me that the loading dock was only for 'vehicles.' I went to the head of security with a copy of the section of the State Code which defined bicycles as 'vehicles,' and have never had any problem since.

[gwd]

What do you all do with your bikes at work?
Bring it in. Usually the higher up the chain the more the bosses are pro bike for some reason. It's the security guards and janitors that get an attitude with me. Usually when one of the peons tells me I can't do something with the bike I go to one of the bosses and I get the privilege restored or more often - a better deal. Once at the library, when the security guard threatened to call the cops to have the lock cut the manager of the library system stepped in and told the security guard to get back on duty watching for bad guys and stop harassing the innocent patrons. The janitor told me the story. At another location when the janitor had a hissy fit about me storing my bike out of the way under the stairs in the basement, the office manager allocated space in the supply closet - a more convenient space for me right down from my office. A win win situation, the janitor gets to win his little power play and I get a better bike parking location. You might be able to work it that way where the security guard gets to think he's lorded it over you AND you get a better bike parking deal.

NOTE: I've worked as security guard and janitor at different times in my life so I empathize with the decent ones but have little patience with the jerks who try to push people around because of their own low self esteem. But like with cops, sometimes you get better results if you play along with their fantasy life. Janitor and security guard work can be peaceful and pleasant, sometimes I miss the still nights and mindless repetitive work- its like meditation. Security guard work sucks when you have to deal with drunk idiots though.

[Artkansas]

I'm lucky now. My bike can either go in the break room or in my office. I've had other jobs where I had to park the bike out front, or in the parking garage with the cars.

[road_rascal]

What a frak off. Where I work I can park just about anywhere I want. Right now I have a nice cozy spot in the corner of our heated shop. Reading stories like these makes me realize how anti-bike (or not bike friendly) this country is. Hopefully things will change soon.

[Roody]

Siphoning gas is nothing compared to the loss of a wheel. Now if someone's car had been left up on blocks to take the rims, then you'd have something comparable.


I paid more than $55 to replace the wheel, tire and tube--all of which were fairly new. I was lucky that the LBS had an extra magnet laying around or I would have had to replace the computer also, at about $30. I had to spend about 30 minutes reporting the incident to security and looking for the tire. I had to walk home that night, which took more than an hour, so it was about 1:30 AM before I got home. I also walked to the LBS the next day, and from there to work, carrying the new wheel.

However, I think it would have cost a lot more to replace a car rim and tire! Also a rear wheel would have cost a lot more than the front set, and probably would have taken a day or two to replace.

[peace_piper]

"I knew you were taking your bike in there but it took me two weeks to catch you." I asked him if he had devoted that much time to catching the wheel thief and the gas siphoner. He did NOT appreciate that remark.

Catch you? I scoff. His attitude implies that you were doing something wrong. But +1 for your comment. He was being a jerk and after all, you set up your pattern of where to park in front of the security cams with your coworker. I agree with other posters. Go to your supervisor and tell the story.

[Novakane]

In addition to everyone else - I say take it higher up as well. Security guards are usually outsourced, so placating their little power trip is not likely to be as high a priority for management as keeping their staff happy.

[KrisPistofferson]

Security guards are generally those who are too dumb or out of shape to be cops. I would ignore him or go over his head if he continues to be an annoyance.

[dogbreathpnw]

Roody, don't make enemies. You've already had words with this guy, but the next time he confronts you, politely explain to him that he's wrong, there is no such rule, and please stop harassing me.

Don't park your bike in public access areas (stairwells, fire escapes, chained to railings, and the like.) Be polite when inside a building (give others plenty of room and give them priority), be cautious on carpeted surfaces. Smile and wave at everyone. MAKE FRIENDS.

Many municipalities have ordinances requiring bike friendly facilities. Does your hospital get a tax break because it's supposed to have bike friendly facilities? You might get the CFO on your side if you tell him the hospital is in danger of losing its tax credit.

It probably won't happen, but you won't know unless you try: ask the bean counter to install a few bike boxes. That's more convenient than bringing your bike inside anyway.

In Oregon, vehicular theft does not require that the vehicle have a motor. If the security guard removes your bike from your office (without filing the requisite paperwork beforehand with the police department like tow truck drivers do), make sure that he is prosecuted for a Class C felony. This will ensure that he loses his job and is an embarrassment to the bosses. (Obviously, don't threaten him with this, or he'll figure out how to avoid the consequences.)


If you choose to park your bike outside, put it back under the security camera, but study some of the advice about properly securing your bike: U-lock, cable for the front wheel, strip all the accessories, and possibly even cable the seat to the bike.

Good luck and let us know how it works out!

[wahoonc]

In general most security guards I have dealt with fall into two categories..and this one falls into the second..as in a peon trying to piss on someone.

I would go to your boss first, then try to stay within channels. Most security guards nowadays are contracted so they could really care less about who they deal with, unless it is coming down from the top.

I had a run in with one the other night, told me I couldn't lock my bike up to the handicapped parking sign. There is no where else in the entire shopping center to lock up to OTHER than the sign posts. I got his name, noted the time of day and called the store manager where I had planned to shop, and the shopping center management company. I have the store manager's cell phone number and have been told I can lock up anywhere I see fit. If they give my any guff I am to call him and he will personally handle it. FWIW I and several others have locked up to these sign posts in the past. I have yet to hear back from the management company. So a letter is going off to the local city council with pointing out the sore lack of facilities in their fair city and that it certainly would hamper my decision if I were to want to move their anytime in the future.

Aaron:)

[Platy]

This is in Lansing, right? I noticed that the local transit system has a couple of bike lockers for rent at $10/month.

http://www.cata.org/bikes_lockers.html

That means there's a person at CATA who went to the trouble of making the bike lockers happen. Who is that person? Does he/she have enough political mojo to make another bike locker appear at or near your hospital?

[bac]

"We don't have room for everybody to take their bike inside"

Yeah, I really don't think that's going to be a problem. Classic!

... Brad

[Roody]

In addition to everyone else - I say take it higher up as well. Security guards are usually outsourced, so placating their little power trip is not likely to be as high a priority for management as keeping their staff happy.

Security guards are generally those who are too dumb or out of shape to be cops. I would ignore him or go over his head if he continues to be an annoyance.

No, our guards are employed by the hospital and they're paid a lot more than the so-called rent-a-cops. Some of them have worked there for years, but I don't know this guard. Most of them are professional and polite--one reason I was taken aback by this one. And yes, to me it seemed like he was power tripping, but that was an impression I got more than actual words that he used.

My relationship with the guards is kind of important. I work on the psych unit, and we occasionally call them for backup when we need help with an assaultive patient. I sure don't want them all ticked off at me, and by extension my whole unit.

[folder fanatic]

....So far, I've been parking outside, hoping he'll give up on me and I can go back inside before something happens to my bike. Any ideas what I should do to handle this better? Or should I just give up and park outside? What do you all do with your bikes at work?


The retort that I always tell a non -goverment worker is "Will you sign this legal document promising to replace my bike in the event of theft/vandalization? The usual response is the guy walking away from me or refusal to sign (I have an actual physical written document clearly assigning fault to the guard him/herself as well as the company employing him/her and promising to pay for all damages and loss. Most of the time, it is some minimun wage desperate person who needs a quick and easy job-and they will not sign. Another way to fool these mororns is to use a folding bike and bag the thing completely way before being sighted by the building staff-and continue to park the bike in that out of the way indoor storage room. Since it is little used, I can't understand why the security guard even found out about the bike. Is there someone who rats on other people working there? That would be real tragic in itself.

Basically, I think it is only one person who is hassling you for some other reason besides being "bike prejudiced." I would also go over his head and talk to the highest person you can get to. Most places do not want trouble and if your solution won't cost money for the hospital, you will probably be allowed to place the bike in that out of the way place. But you might gain an enemy who will just be bothersome as the unknown thief-so go foward cautiously. Only you know the best way to continue to protect your bike.

[keiththesnake]

Roody:
I agree that if you get YOUR supervisor to support you, then the rent-a-cop's supervisor will likely agree with him or her. Sparrow? Useless waste of building. Really great lobby. Maybe they should invest in the human resource, instead. Just my two cents.
Keith

[Blue Order]

Any chance of bringing a folder inside?

[stevesurf]

The supervisor will always side with their subordinate. You need to start bringing the bike inside again, citing that there is nothing in your Post Orders that state bringing a bicycle into the buidling is against hospital policy. Post Orders are the actual procedures the Security Guards go by that is policy. This will force him to produce a copy of the written document that backs him up (which they won't have, and they'll have to change policy to inconvenience you).

If they decide to change policy, find the environmental liaison with the hospital and plead your case. The last thing they want is people saying they're "not green."

[ATAC49er]

folder fanatic, were we separated at birth?

My pat answer to anybody telling me I can't bring my bike in at work is simple -- when you put $2500 in an envelope, seal it, write my name on it, and set it in the safe for me WHEN and not IF my outside-locked bike gets stolen/stripped, THEN you can tell me whether I can bring it in the door.

I had a central office of my old bank tell me once that I couldn't take my bike through the drive-up, but I could bring it in the lobby. I still stopped using that location after that date. A local fast-food joint told me I couldn't come through the drive-up on my bike -- almost got into a fight w/ a smart-mouth busboy about it. In their defense, my bike wouldn't set off the signal for the speaker. I did like that they had to throw away the food I ordered.

[stevesurf]

folder fanatic, were we separated at birth?

My pat answer to anybody telling me I can't bring my bike in at work is simple -- when you put $2500 in an envelope, seal it, write my name on it, and set it in the safe for me WHEN and not IF my outside-locked bike gets stolen/stripped, THEN you can tell me whether I can bring it in the door.

I had a central office of my old bank tell me once that I couldn't take my bike through the drive-up, but I could bring it in the lobby. I still stopped using that location after that date. A local fast-food joint told me I couldn't come through the drive-up on my bike -- almost got into a fight w/ a smart-mouth busboy about it. In their defense, my bike wouldn't set off the signal for the speaker. I did like that they had to throw away the food I ordered.
FYI, the same thing happened to me at McDonalds.

...but Starbucks drive thrus welcome cyclists; in fact they always fill up my water bottles...

[SkippyX]

Security Guard: "You can't take the bike inside. You have to park it outside."

Me: "I'll worry about it when you get your fat @$$ out of the car and prevent me from doing it. 'til then - bite me."

Pretty simple, really.

[freeimprov]

Speaking as a professional bureaucrat and former security guard...

You want to MUSCLE this guy. Most security guards are decent (read lazy) guys, but some are wannabe Dirty Harrys who enjoy taking advantage of the badge in order to push people around. They're easy to spot because they come on aggressively rather than politely, like most guards. The bad guards are simply thugs, and you have to speak to them in thug language. And that means asserting dominance in no uncertain terms.

As others have pointed out, your FIRST line of support is your own manager. Make sure your manager is aware of the situation and supportive of your actions. If you must go speak to a building or security manager, try to do it with your own manager present if at all possible. It becomes much harder for them to say no to you if it risks setting off an inter-departmental fight.

Now, security managers are a different breed than the thug-type guard. Thugs don't make it to management, because they're brutal and stupid and lack the finesse to pass the interview. Most security managers are from the lazy-guard pool, and they don't want anyone harshing their mellow any more than necessary. Moreover, they have years of experience dealing with the thugs (who often try to bully their own bosses), so he may not reflexively defend his own staff here - in fact, he may appreciate a reason to slap down a problem guard. This is of course a generalization and not necessarily true in your specific case, but the odds are good that the security manager will be sympathetic.

But back to the muscle. Besides your own manager, you should get HR involved (with your manager's knowledge). They NEVER want hassles or disputes, and could care less about "security", so they're likely to join you against the guard just to nip problems in the bud. And, since you're in a hospital, you may want to see if you can get some doctors to support you as well... after all, biking is healthier and safer than driving!

With the correct support, you could get motion toward a REAL solution to the problem - a safe, secure, and guarded area where bike commuters can park their rides without fear of theft! Done right, you can even win some recognition from your own management for showing leadership and initiative! You'd be encouraging biking to work (a good thing) and a safer, healthier working environment.

This makes me appreciate how spoiled and lucky I am... I work with terrific on-site security (federal police) who are always polite and helpful, and bike commuters get to keep their bikes in the locked, access-controlled, guarded garage. I don't even lock mine!

[Suzie Green]

Chain your bike to the security guard's car. :roflmao2:

[smilin buddha]

I would go higher also talk to your boss. I got stopped one time by a security guard at a local Target. He checked my receipt for dog food. When I was going back in he let a guy with plastic totes leave the store without checking them. How was I supposed to hide things in a bag of dog food. Difference the guy with the totes had a tie and slacks on. I had shorts and my tattoos were showing. I confronted him and talked to his supervisor. He got transferred . I would still talk to your boss. But sometimes they are not used to someone questioning them. A badge doesnt give you power. Or see if you can leave your bike inside the delivery area.

[cyclezealot]

Whose to say security guards know **** about acautal policy. . I'd taken the matter to a higher authroity long ago.

[zeppinger]

I would suggest death threats, If that doesnt work kidnap one of the security guards children. But then again, Im told that I have a bit of s short fuse...

[PotatoSlayer]

Fun way to deal with this moron:

Chain your bike to the back of his SUV.

[Roody]

Update: I decided to take the coward's road. For a couple weeks I locked my bike outside. Then I started taking it in again. If I get any more crap, I'll take it to a higher authority, as so many of you suggested.

Thanks to everybody who responded. It's nice to know that we can rely on the folks here for good ideas! :)