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13 Times Security Could Have Helped Halloween Movie Characters

Imagine if a museum security guard had prevented Max from lighting the candle in Hocus Pocus and resurrecting the Sanderson sisters. Or a roving patrol had seen Georgie out in the rain and taken him home instead of Pennywise dragging him into the sewer in It. Or the Overlook Hotel had a security system instead of a caretaker in The Shining…

Let’s face it, some of our favorite scary movies would be pretty lame if people either a) followed the rules or b) had better security. Since we can’t control the former, here are 13 Halloween movies that would absolutely be ruined if there had been effective private security in place. 

(Be Warned: Spoilers Ahead!)

1. It (1990 & 2017)

OK, even a highly trained security guard probably wouldn’t be able to stand up to the demonic entity that is Pennywise the Dancing Clown from It. We get that. But the inciting incident that sets the whole chain of events in motion for the Losers Club to get involved rests on little Georgie, in his bright yellow slicker, innocently chasing his paper boat down the rain-flooded gutter until it disappears into the storm drain. Enter Pennywise, the creepy clown, sweet-talking the kid into joining him until Georgie reaches down for his boat… and a mobile security patrol sees the kid, asks him what he’s doing, and offers to take him home — an offer Georgie quickly accepts, because a professional, uniformed officer (in a warm, dry vehicle) is a much better bet than a questionable clown who lives in a sewer.

2. Hocus Pocus (1993)

The whole reason the Sanderson Sisters run “amok, amok, amok” in Hocus Pocus was all thanks to Max Dennison lighting the cursed Black Flame Candle, conveniently just gathering dust at the Sanderson home in Salem, Mass., now a museum, on All Hallows Eve. So, a known witch museum at the site of the most well-known witch trials in the U.S. doesn’t have a security system in place? Or even one security guard watching over it on the spookiest night of the year? (Thackery Binx, the boy-turned-cat who tries to prevent the witches’ resurrection, doesn’t really count!)

3. Carrie (1976)

School security must be really lax at Carrie White’s high school. How else can you explain how two high school students could break in, rig a bucket of pig’s blood over the stage, then hide under it to dump all over poor Carrie just as she’s crowned Prom Queen? Heck, even an observant teacher or chaperone would have probably noticed something was amiss and stopped the bucket drop, thus preventing Carrie from unleashing terrible revenge upon her (admittedly terrible) classmates. 

4. Idle Hands (1999)

Another school dance that could have benefited from better security is seen in Idle Hands. Anton Tobias’s possessed hand’s killing spree may have been preventable if the dance had a security officer to stop it from its rampage. Then again, this movie IS about a possessed, disembodied hand that survived a zap in the microwave, so who knows? Maybe a team of security officers would’ve been just the thing.

5. Casper (1995)

Most security personnel aren’t equipped to deal with ghosts, but they DO know how to spot security and safety issues. Seriously, how many times do people fall from tall surfaces in Casper because there just don’t seem to be any caution signs or railings? And how many people break into Whitstaff Manor anyway? (Maybe the owners thought Casper and his ghostly uncles were all the security system they needed. They were wrong.)

6. The Shining (1980)

If “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy,” then why does the Overlook Hotel in The Shining actually need a winter caretaker? A dedicated security officer or mobile patrol would be able to perform the needed services to keep the hotel safe and secure without all of the drama of actually living there among the ghosts. As long as they stayed away from Room 237…

7. The Witches (1990)

What is hotel security coming to these days? In The Witches, a gathering of the nation’s witches just books a hotel conference room for their annual convention and no one bats an eye? An event such as that would require extra security on hand, and hopefully, they would be astute enough to notice that something was off. 

8. Happy Death Day (2017)

The premise of this little gem is like Groundhog Day meets Scream: A college sorority girl relives the same day over and over again, always ending with her demise at the hands of a masked assailant. No matter what she does to escape, the villain always finds a way to pursue her around her college campus like a hound dog on a fox. Where is campus security in each and every time loop?

9. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! (1966)

In this classic, Linus, a young boy who can’t even reach the top of his mailbox, is staying outside all night. Unsupervised. At the end of October, when temps can get below freezing. He waits all night for an creature that sounds like Halloween’s answer to Santa Claus. Maybe he could have just had on-site dedicated security watch for the pumpkin for him, so he could join his friends in the much-more-reassuring activity of begging candy from strangers.

10. Halloween (1979)

Michael Meyers might have more lives (or movies) than a cat (11, to be exact, with two more sequels in the works for 2021 and 2022), but at least a security patrol with flashing lights would have given him pause as he creeped Laurie Strode and her friends through the neighborhood in the original Halloween. 

11. Ghostbusters (1984)

Who ya gonna call? Well, you could call the Ghostbusters, but the main problem in this movie was a downtown apartment building causing paranormal activity. It sure would have been nice to have a roving patrol or concierge security officer to help prevent any issues before things got out of hand. Or, security staff could have monitored all the captured ghosts before they were unleashed upon New York City!

12. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Speaking of roving patrols, Santa sure could have used one of those in Christmas Town, thus preventing his abduction at the hands of Lock, Shock, and Barrel. Such security could help him all year long with loss prevention and toy factory lockups as well!

13. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Party crashers like Brad and Janet would have been kicked out of Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s Annual Transylvanian Convention in The Rocky Horror Picture Show if only he had bothered to have a dedicated officer manning the gate and patrolling the property! Event security is important.

Get Started

Are you like many of these movie characters and don’t know where to start when it comes to security? Signal  can help schedule a free, on-site security assessment.

For Barb Alekna and Greg Pencosky, building Signal of West Virginia has always been about more than growing a security business. It’s about creating an organization where people can build meaningful careers, develop into leaders, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Since launching Signal of West Virginia in September 2024, that vision has guided the team’s approach to growth. From earning their first client to developing their first leaders, Barb and Greg have focused on building the business one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.

That commitment to people, consistency, and continuous improvement is helping Signal of West Virginia establish a reputation for professionalism and dependable service across the state.

Building a Culture People Can Grow In

When Barb and Greg reflect on what makes them most proud, their answer comes back to their team. From the beginning, they wanted to create more than a successful security company. They wanted to build a career culture where employees could grow, take pride in their work, and become leaders.

“We strive to create an environment where each security officer and team member understands they’re not simply filling a security post,” they explain. “They’re protecting people, building relationships, solving problems, and representing the Signal brand with professionalism and integrity.”

That philosophy shapes how the team approaches every client and every assignment. Whether supporting apartment communities, healthcare facilities, major retailers, or special events, officers are expected to bring more than security expertise to the job.

Professionalism, reliability, communication, and dedication are all part of the standard.

For Barb and Greg, some of the most rewarding moments come from watching that culture take shape: seeing a new hire gain confidence, an officer advance into a leadership role, or a client recognize a team member for going above and beyond.

Earning Growth One Relationship at a Time

Launching a new franchise comes with challenges, but building Signal of West Virginia meant starting almost entirely from scratch.

Before the first contract, the organization had no established presence in the state, no existing clients, no employees, and no revenue. Barb and Greg had experience leading successful Signal operations, but they understood that success in another market wouldn’t automatically translate to West Virginia.

Instead, they relied on proven Signal processes while taking the time to understand the local market and build credibility from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve built since then has been earned one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.”

That approach required humility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Not every proposal became a contract, and not every challenge had an immediate solution, but each experience became an opportunity to improve.

From securing their first client and hiring their first employee to celebrating their first promotion and major contract, each milestone represented another step toward building a reputation in West Virginia.

Continuous Improvement Drives the Team

For the Signal of West Virginia team, showing up at their best starts with a mindset of continuous improvement.

“We never want to become complacent or assume we know everything,” they explain. “Every conversation with a client, every interaction with an employee, every success, failure, and every challenge give us an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better than we were yesterday.”

That mindset extends beyond individual performance. Barb and Greg see clear communication as one of their most important responsibilities as leaders.

By staying connected with clients, supporting their team, and being proactive instead of reactive, they work to build trust and strengthen relationships.

For them, long-term growth isn’t something to chase. It’s something to earn through consistent effort, strong relationships, and exceptional service.

Redefining Professional Security

As Signal of West Virginia continues to grow, Barb and Greg want the community to see private security as more than simply placing officers at a post.

Their goal is to build long-term partnerships, invest in the communities they serve, and create a career culture where employees are empowered to make a positive difference.

“We’re here for the long-term, and we genuinely care about making West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

That commitment is supported by the combination of Signal’s global resources and local, owner-led leadership.

The team benefits from Signal’s technology, innovation, experienced leadership, and proven operating model while maintaining a local presence built around responsiveness, accountability, and lasting relationships.

For Signal of West Virginia, that means officers aren’t simply providing security. They’re becoming an extension of their clients’ teams—protecting people, safeguarding property, assisting employees and visitors, and representing both the client and Signal with professionalism.

The goal is to become a trusted partner that helps reduce risk, strengthen operations, and provide lasting peace of mind.

Developing People and Leaders

For Barb and Greg, one of the most rewarding parts of ownership is watching people grow.

Whether it’s mentoring an officer into a leadership role, helping an employee build a long-term career, or developing a client relationship into a trusted partnership, those moments represent the impact they hope to create.

They also recognize that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

The Signal network has provided opportunities to learn from experienced security leaders, including Paul Alekna and the team at Signal of Canton-Youngstown. Their mentorship and willingness to share experiences have played an important role in the growth of Signal of West Virginia.

That collaboration reflects another strength of the Signal network: franchises supporting one another and sharing knowledge to help each other succeed.

Building What Comes Next

For Barb and Greg, the most exciting part of the journey is knowing they’re still building.

“Every new team member we develop, every client relationship we earn, and every opportunity to strengthen our team is another chance to make a lasting impact.”

Their focus remains straightforward: invest in their people, serve clients with excellence, and build an organization that employees, clients, and the community can be proud of.

Being named Franchise of the Month for May 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition is viewed as motivation rather than a finish line.

Barb and Greg credit their entire team for the franchise’s success and remain focused on creating a career culture where great people can grow, delivering exceptional service, and making a lasting impact throughout West Virginia.

Congratulations to Barb Alekna, Greg Pencosky, and the entire Signal of West Virginia team on being named May Franchise of the Month in 2026. Their commitment to developing people, serving their communities, and growing with purpose is a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

 

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