KOCHI: Though the security guards are relied upon to protect an establishment, the police say that in many cases the guards seldom do their duty.“In Kochi, a duty of a policeman on night patrol is to wake up sleeping security guards. This is not restricted to guards working in stores and shopping complexes, but even those who work in ATMs and jewellery shops are seen dozing off at night,” said Ernakulam Assistant Commissioner of Police Sunil Jacob.“But, there are people who keep a strict vigil and alert us in case of any development,” he added.The police said many security guards have also been found snoozing under the influence of alcohol.“One of the major reasons for such an attitude is that the supervisors, who are in charge of checking on the guards, are themselves lazy. There are instances where we had to wake up the guards who sleep inside the ATMs,” they said.“In case of the Palarivattam serial theft incident, there was a security guard inside the complex near to where another guard was beaten and tied up. He had heard the commotion, but instead of alerting the police or anybody else, he went into hiding and came out in the morning only to yap out tales about the burglary. If he had taken timely action, the incident would have turned out to be different,” police sources said.“At many places, the guard is more than 75 years old. How can anyone expect such a person to guard himself, let alone a shop or an establishment? But, the reason why some establishments hire such people is that they have to be paid only a meagre amount whereas those who are well trained ask for a decent salary,” said Sunil Jacob.
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