Oatridge Blog

Don’t Let Your Guard Down – Stay Aware

Small towns are often considered idyllic, close-knit communities where residents feel safe and secure, and downtown Puyallup, Washington definitely fits this description. Even as it grows, it maintains it small town vibe with the iconic Pioneer Park located right in the heart which shares itself with a beautiful community library and remarkable indoor/outdoor farmers market. 

However, no place is entirely immune to security challenges and Puyallup, Washington, is not exempt from facing their share of security issues. Here’s a little insight into those issues. 

Limited Police Presence

Compared to larger cities, Puyallup has a smaller police department with fewer resources and personnel. This can result in longer response times to emergencies, making it crucial for residents to be proactive about their safety and take preventive measures.

To address this concern, community members can participate in neighborhood watch programs, collaborate with local law enforcement, and stay vigilant by reporting suspicious activities promptly. Additionally, the town’s authorities can consider increasing the police force or implementing community policing initiatives to enhance security in the area.

Property Crimes

Property crimes, such as burglaries and thefts are unfortunately not uncommon. The perception of safety in small towns can sometimes lead residents to become less cautious about securing their homes and belongings, making them easy targets for opportunistic criminals.

To combat property crimes, homeowners can invest in robust security measures, including home alarm systems, motion-activated lights, and secure locks for doors and windows. Community education on crime prevention and awareness programs can also play a significant role in reducing property crimes in smaller towns.

Drug and Substance Abuse

The close-knit nature of Puyallup can lead to a sense of complacency or denial about the presence of such issues, making it difficult to address them effectively.

Preventing and addressing drug and substance abuse requires a comprehensive approach that involves community awareness, support for rehabilitation programs, and collaboration with local organizations specializing in addiction recovery. Additionally, law enforcement can work with community leaders to identify and address drug-related issues at their root, rather than merely treating the symptoms.

Youth-Related Issues

Smaller towns often lack a variety of recreational facilities and entertainment options for the youth, leading to potential boredom and idle time among adolescents. This can lead to youth-related security issues, such as vandalism, graffiti, and juvenile delinquency.

To address these concerns, community leaders and local authorities can work together to create more recreational spaces and engage the youth in positive activities. Organizing youth programs, sports leagues, and cultural events can help keep the younger population engaged and reduce the likelihood of engaging in illicit activities.

We hope this is a helpful reminder and if you have any security needs for your person or business, please give our team a call at: (253) 533-7525 or you can reach out via our website.

Keeping Businesses Safe Is What We Do

Seattle, Washington, known for its vibrant business landscape and entrepreneurial spirit, is a city filled with opportunities. However, in recent years, our city has struggled with providing a sense of safety, especially within our small business community. At Oatridge Security, we’re committed to making sure your business investment, your team, and your customers feel safe and secure. Extending this offers your people a sense of trust, as they appreciate that their safety is your concern. Here’s a few things to keep in mind. This really isn’t something you want to “react to,” but instead, get in front of it and prevent the preventable.

Tailored Security Solutions: We specialize in assessing risks and designing customized security solutions to address your specific needs. We conduct thorough assessments of your business’s vulnerabilities, considering factors such as location, industry, operational hours, and customer flow. This tailored approach ensures that your security measures are optimized to provide maximum protection.

Employee Safety and Productivity: A secure work environment is crucial for employee well-being and productivity. When employees feel safe, their focus can be directed toward their work, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. Additionally, knowing that their safety is a priority promotes a positive company culture and helps attract and retain talented professionals who seek a secure and supportive work environment.

Enhanced Customer Confidence: Customers are more likely to engage with businesses that prioritize their safety and well-being. Private security measures, such as visible security personnel, well-maintained premises, and secure access control, create a positive perception among customers. Feeling safe and secure while interacting with your business fosters trust and encourages repeat business, ultimately contributing to your long-term success.

Loss Prevention and Asset Protection: Businesses invest significant resources in their assets, whether physical inventory, sensitive data, or intellectual property. In addition to traditional measures such as video surveillance, alarms, and access control systems, having a human security presence is just as important. By safeguarding your investments, private security contributes directly to the bottom line and preserves your business’s financial stability.

Crime Prevention and Deterrence: As with any major city, Seattle faces its share of criminal activity. Private security services act as a deterrent against potential threats. This proactive approach significantly reduces the likelihood of incidents, helping maintain a safe environment for employees, customers, and visitors.

Quick Response to Emergencies: In the event of an emergency, every second counts. Private security personnel are trained to respond swiftly and effectively to various situations, including theft, vandalism, or medical emergencies.

Ultimately you and all who interact with your business will have peace of mind. Don’t hesitate to pick up a phone and give us a ring at: (253) 528-3739 if you’re new to providing private security and have questions, we’re here to help. You can also reach out right here on our site, and we’ll gladly get back to you.

Safety Is Our Niche

Security is our business and promoting safety is what we’re all about. As we come upon the 4th of July holiday, we hope you’ll keep these tips front of mind. Before we jump into them, if you have security needs for your business, an event, or even as an individual, we’d love to help. Give our team a call at: (253) 533-7525 or you can reach out via our website and we’ll be happy to get back with you. 

It’s Going to be a Hot One

If you haven’t checked the weather report yet, a hot 4th in Seattle is expected… so be safe. It’s supposed to be in the mid to upper 80’s this year. This has its pros and cons. On the one hand, most of us Washingtonians are thrilled when the summer heat shows up, and even better when it correlates with a holiday that’s best enjoyed outside. That said, the past few years, fires have been brutal and actually created such a cloudy haze, we can’t even enjoy the sun. Whether it be because it’s difficult to breathe or because everything feels socked in, our beautiful blue sky is out of view.

We’d like to encourage you to refresh yourself with various tips that can help prevent disasters that don’t just impact you, your family or your neighborhood… but even the entire region. The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office and Washington State Patrol (WSP) put out a great list of tips that we’ll share with you.

4th of July Firework Safety Tips

Purchase Washington legal consumer fireworks from a licensed and locally permitted retail stand.
Only use fireworks outdoors and away from buildings on a flat, level, fireproof surface free from debris.
Read and follow all safety labels and instructions.
Have a water supply and water bucket available at all times.
Light only one firework at a time.
Never place any part of your body directly over a firework.
Never throw fireworks or light fireworks in your hands.
Never pick up or try to re-ignite a firework that fails to light.
Never carry fireworks in your pockets or shoot them from a container.
Always have adults light fireworks.  Keep all fireworks, including matches and lighters, away from children.
Allow discharged fireworks to sit for at least 20 minutes before submerging them fully in water for at least 10 minutes.  Dispose of drained products in a plastic bag.
Keep all pets indoors and protected from the sights and sounds of the holiday.

Be Prepared – Be Safe – Be Responsible

Happy 4th of July from all of us at Oatridge Security Group

It’s easy to reflect over the past few years and acknowledge that general safety has felt compromised. Whether you’re going to and from the office, work in retail, or are shopping or seeking other services, you’ve likely felt the need to be more alert than years past.

Oatridge Security Group (OSG) proudly provides peace of mind for you, your team, and your customers and clients. In the Seattle / Tacoma area, we spend much of the year with dark mornings and evenings. Safety is one of the best gifts you can offer when you partner with us. Here’s a few tips and helpful reminders as you make your way to and from:

1. Before you leave the safety of a building or public space, take a quick look around to see if you’re on anyone’s radar.
2. Get your keys out and have them ready to go as soon as you get to your vehicle.
3. Slide individual keys between your fingers, as they can act as a deterrent if you need to defend yourself.
4. Carry and have accessible pepper spray. This is one of the best ways to keep people far enough away that you can get to safety.
5. Walk with purpose. Always walk with a clear destination, appearing alert. It’s easy to get distracted with phones, etc. but this is not the time to focus on that text or end of day post.

Hopefully you won’t find yourself ever needing any of these tips to ward off danger, and ideally it’s because our team is on-hand to help neutralize situations that might otherwise be vulnerable. We offer security consulting, VIP protection, security officers, executive protection, and 24/7 365 days a year service.

We also leverage security devices such as sophisticated locking systems, burglar alarms, and CCTV cameras. Our security officers are highly trained with a goal of diffusing situations so that everyone remains safe. Let us come along side you to bring a sense of safety and security to those who you deeply value. This is not an area you want to look back on and wish you did something sooner, get in front of it.

You can call us at: (253) 461-1622 or send us an email at [email protected]. We are here to help and look forward to hearing from you. We’re working with you to make a safer tomorrow.