Page 116 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2019

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI
safety with a smile
SCARLET PEARL SECURITY
Behind the Scenes
SCARLET PEARL security team maintains the safety and security of all associates, patrons and assets of the property.
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos by Donn Hupp
U pon entering Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, guests are greeted by the friendly faces of the casino’s
security staff who perform routine ID checks. What you might not realize though is how involved
the security team is behind the scenes.
“We are involved in the majority of day-to-day operations
at the Scarlet Pearl, all while providing the best possible customer service to our guests,” says Security Supervisor Jonathan Blanton. “We as a department are tasked with maintaining the safety and security of all associates, patrons and assets of the property.”
So what all does that entail? The security team works alongside the surveillance department to monitor, investigate and report suspicious activity, and are responsible for every escort on the property that involves the transportation of money.
“We also respond to medical emergencies involving guests as well as associate injuries and illnesses,” said Blanton. “Security investigates patron disputes, conducts routine
checks of the property and patrols the parking garage and outer lots to ensure our guests feel safe.”
The security team is trained and equipped to respond to a multitude of different scenarios, including active shooter, medical emergencies, fire alarms, disruptive patrons, altercations, lost or missing property claims, and local law enforcement requests for assistance.
“Every day is something different,” says Blanton. “I don’t believe anyone who works in casino security can say that they have seen it all.”
Upon completing the hiring process, all security officers are required to shadow a seasoned officer for two
weeks to learn the responsibilities of the department. “We have a program called Percipio that helps train officers in several areas of the gaming industry,” Blanton said. “Our management team also attends seminars off property at times. We have attended the Mississippi Tort and Workman’s Comp Law Conference as well as the Mississippi Corporate Security Symposium that is hosted
116 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • July 2019
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