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7 Situations to be Thankful You Have a Private Security Guard

It’s 1 o’clock on Thanksgiving Day. The turkey is carved, the mashed potatoes and gravy are steaming, the rolls are still warm from the oven, and the pies are just begging to be cut. Your plate is piled high, fork poised to dig in, when suddenly your phone chimes.

You tense, thinking, oh no, I have to go in to work to take care of another noise complaint, or a resident who’s locked out, or —

But wait! You remember. I have a security guard to take care of those things now. Let the feast commence! 

(BTW, it was a just a text from Grandma wishing you a blessed day.)

Private security and security guards are there for you 24/7, not just on Thanksgiving Day. While you’re busy making a list of all the things to be thankful for in 2020 (and the list might be a little different this year!), here’s a list of seven situations for which you can be thankful you have a security guard on the job. 

The After-Hours Noise Complaint

You just got home from a long day as the property manager of an apartment community, and you’re looking forward to a soak in a hot bathtub with a glass of wine and a good book. But there’s a noise complaint from a resident. Guess what? You don’t have to handle it because your private security guard can field the call and respond instead. Pour on the vino! 

The Rowdy Pool Parties

Ugh, who wants to be the bad guy who has to go in and break up a rowdy pool party, most likely full of inebriated residents and their friends, possibly not even clothed in bathing suits or anything at all, for that matter? Thankfully, not you. Your security guard can break it up!

The Vehicle Break-ins

It totally stinks when there’s a string of vehicle break-ins in your community. But instead of having to play Sherlock Holmes and solve the crime, your security guard is there to take notes, serve as a liaison with law enforcement, and help solve how to prevent more break-ins from happening. 

The Creepy Lurker

You know that weirdo who likes to lurk around your community, usually in the shadows at dusk, and makes everyone uncomfortable because they don’t know what the lurker is up to? Guess what, you don’t have to be the person to confront them, because your security guard can do it! 

The After-Hours Lockup

You may leave at 5, but your clubhouse, rec room, and pool don’t close until 9. Thankfully, you don’t have to drive back to lock up because your security guard will do it for you as part of their regular duties! 

The Gatekeeper

Ugh, it’s so annoying when speeders come cruising through your community because they think it’s a shortcut to their destination. Instead of having to constantly call the cops in hopes of ticketing a few, your security guard can be the one with the flashing lights keeping watch over your private entrance. 

The Would-Be Graffiti Artist

Teenagers get bored, and when teenagers get bored, they usually cause mischief, sometimes in the form of redecorating the side of their apartment building with a display of their artistic skills. Thankfully, that would-be Picasso won’t get very far when a security guard is patrolling and quickly puts a stop to their artistic endeavors.

Be Thankful All Year

Want to be thankful you have a security officer keeping watch over you and your residents any time of the year? Click here to get more information on how Signal provides you and yours peace of mind.

Passion Award: Stephen Hayes
Signal of El Paso, TX & Signal of Greater Albuquerque, NM  


At Signal, we drive with passion in everything we do because passion connects people to purpose. 

Stephen Hayes exemplifies this every day. A positive and giving leader, Stephen is a role model to others in the network. He stays closely connected to the Home Office, ensuring he is personally executing operational details with excellence and accuracy. 

Beyond his own market, Stephen is always willing to lend advice and support anyone in the network who needs it, while maintaining strong results in his markets. His dedication, energy, and consistent positive attitude make him a powerful example of what it means to lead with passion. 

Honesty & Integrity Award: Jonas Palmer
Signal of Northwest Tennessee & Signal of Jackson, MS 

We live in honesty and integrity because without it, our company and our brand are hollow. 

Jonas Palmer has taken on some of our most challenging markets and turned them around in a remarkably short time. He leads from the front, never asking his team to do anything he isn’t willing to do himself. 

When feedback comes from the Home Office, whether operational or financial, Jonas responds with transparency and immediate follow-through. His professionalism, accountability, and respect in every interaction set a high standard for reliability and trust. 

Relationships Award: Mike Kosmet
Signal of Michigan 

We build relationships because healthy success can only be created with mutual respect for others. 

Mike Kosmet has demonstrated consistent success for more than a decade. He understands that collaboration fuels progress, as shown in his partnership with our Milwaukee office, which helped drive a significant market turnaround. 

Personable, responsive, and easy to work with, Mike prioritizes communication and follow-through. His ability to engage his team and work alongside peers has contributed to doubling the size of his business this year. He proves that strong relationships are a competitive advantage. 

Serving Award: Shane Wimer
Signal of Nebraska 

We serve our communities without hesitation because serving is the active ingredient in service. 

Shane Wimer led the development of Code Enforcement as a new service offering, generously sharing his entire process with the Home Office and fellow franchisees. His collaboration helped create sales and training materials that are driving growth across the network. 

He knows his officers by name and genuinely cares about their success, which is reflected in his team’s outstanding retention rates. Shane’s ability to balance strong financial performance with a people-first mindset makes his franchise a model for serving both community and team. 

Learning Award: Dan Liotta
Signal of Central and Northern Virginia  

We learn something every day by holding an open-minded approach to everything we do. 

Since joining Signal in 2023, Dan Liotta has made a significant impact. As a strategic and thoughtful leader, he delivers strong results and exceptional customer service by staying focused on sustainable growth. 

Dan is constantly seeking ways to improve his operations and bring more value to his market. His visionary mindset and commitment to continuous improvement remind us that growth begins with a willingness to learn.

Core Champion Award: Haris Johnson
Signal of Washington, D.C. 

While each award represents a specific value, the Core Champion brings them all together. 

Haris Johnson represents the full Signal mission in every aspect of his business. He makes a lasting impression in every interaction, from how he supports his officers to the passion he brings to serving clients. 

He is always exploring new ideas to improve his franchise and shows genuine appreciation for others across the network. His commitment to his team, his clients, and the future of Signal makes him a true Core Champion. 

Congratulations! 

These winners represent what makes Signal different. Our Core Values – Passion, Honesty & Integrity, Relationships, Serving, and Learning – are the foundation of how we operate and how we grow.  

To our 2025 Core Award winners: thank you for leading by example and for showing what it truly means to live the Signal mission.

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