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*Unedited version
Published by The Ranch (August 2003 edition)
Greeter Guards -- What do they do?
by J.D. Hawk
They're not security guards. They don't carry weapons and won't arrest anyone. They
are not even allowed to stop anyone that insists on coming in. But you see them all
over Otay Ranch in the neighborhoods surrounding Heritage Park. They may smile and
call you by your name or scribble on clipboards while peering out the checkpoint
booths, taking note of the odd looking drifter. They are the Greeter Guards of Otay
Ranch.
"Our job is to smile and wave. That's what we do." Supervisor Carmen Casas
said with cool glare. "I think I do it very well."
Casas quickly bit her tongue, as if invoking the fifth amendment, and would not say
anymore. Could she be under an Orange Alert Gag order involving National Security?
Had she already divulged too much information?
Actually, there is a bit more to being Greeter Guard--although, not of any conspiratorial
importance. Grace Burger, a seasoned Greeter for over two years, explained, "Ninety
percent of the cars that stop here for help need directions to someone's house. I
can help people find where they need to be with a map provided in all the booths.
I have even helped the police when they got lost on while on patrol."
The Greeters need to have some idea who's inside their neighborhood. Distinguishing
between a local homeowner and outsider is done through identifying tags. This is
fine, theoretically, but anyone can get in between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
unimpeded. The Greeters, run by Walters Management Co., are forbidden to stop anyone
from coming in. Sometimes cars just race through, offering nothing more than a spirited,
one-fingered salute, making the job of identifying visitors that more complex. "The
speed limit says 25 m.p.h.," Jesus Romero, a Greeter, said. "It should
be changed to 125 m.p.h. I'm not going to run out there and stand in front of something
like that. I just bite, chew, and swallow."
Romero said he once chastised somebody from racing through but stressed how delicate
the situation can be. "You have to remember that the car could be filled kids
screwing around, or they might be the same homeowners that are responsible for your
paycheck. You want to help keep a safe environment and at the same time keep them
on your side."
Since every car can't be immediately checked (except retroactively through KBM Security's
video surveillance), Burger has relied on experience and instinct. "I can tell
who should be here and who shouldn't. I know a lot of the residents here. You also
begin to recognize the pool cleaners, gardeners and trash guys." She also pointed
out that outsiders usually approach very cautiously, slowing down and speeding up
and slowing down again. This tips her off and she may record the vehicle's license
number for reference should any situation occur.
Calls of complaints are also taken by the Greeters from the different households.
"Sometimes people have a concern about a neighbor who may be violating a rule.
They may feel awkward confronting their neighbor so they report it here," Burger
said. Although reporting any incident to the Greeters may establish a written record
of possible violations, such as cars parked in the wrong place or pestering salesmen,
the Greeters are not the enforcers. If a household has a problem, the Greeters will
make a note of it and pass it on to KBM Security who takes over after 2:45 p.m. KBM,
in turn, will call a roving supervisor who has the authority to issue citations.
The Greeter Guards all said they have been treated well by the people of Otay Ranch
and none of them could remember there ever being a serious crime. "I think that
deterrence of crime is really the main idea behind this," Romero said.
In fact, with Greeters shacked up in spacious booths complete with a roomy bathroom,
a refrigerator, microwave and the option to bring their own television sets, radios,
and books, the only complaint given was the need for comfortable chairs. "This
has everything that anybody needs. I love this job. I only wish the chairs were more
comfortable" said Burger, whose legs are too short to touch the ground while
sitting. "They won't allow us to bring our own chairs and my legs are killing
me."
Contact J.D. Hawk |
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