Perhaps one of Portugal’s most closely guarded secrets is the Night Guard Service. During some of the recent crime prevention seminars, organized by Safe Communities Algarve, an opportunity has been taken to present their services which supports and complements the patrols undertaken by both the GNR and PSP.
This article has been compiled by Safe Communities Algarve from the input of José dos Santos, Vice President of the Night Guard Association (Associação Sócio-Professional dos Guardas-Nocturnos) known as the ASPGN. The feature describes the Night Guard service in Portugal, its history, current roles and responsibilities, how it operates, steps required to create one in your area and who to contact.
History
The first reference to the Night Guard Service in Portugal was recorded in 1383 in conjunction with firefighters. They were deployed in the aftermath of the 1755 earthquake particularly in the Lisbon area. In 1975 after restructuring they were integrated as part of the security forces
So what is the Night Guard Service?
In effect it provides a para-police activity performing a service on behalf of the public. The service complements the service provided by the state police and security services with inherent powers.
Night Guards supplement the work of the GNR and PSP and provide a number of services over a six hour shift.
Night Guards are civilians selected by city councils (Camaras) through a competitive process to carry out specific duties in a designated area. One Night Guard is assigned per area and works traditionally from midnight to 6am, patrolling the area to prevent or detect unusual situations.
The Night Guard service is in operation throughout Portugal and in the Algarve covers the following areas: Tavira, Loulé, Quarteira, Portimão, Lagos, Praia da Luz, Faro and Vila Real Santo Antonio.
Night Guard Duties
The roles and duties of the Night Guard service are varied and include: a) Carrying out foot or vehicles patrols in a designated area and checking on properties registered with them; b) responding to alarms activated within subscribed clients’ properties; c) medical emergencies by obtaining medicine during the hours of the Night Guard service; d) exercising the power of arrest; e) providing general support to the GNR and PSP and f) providing a key-holder service to conduct checks on empty premises.
They are permitted to operate both in public and private areas.
Use of Force
As an official and licensed service, Night Guards wear uniform and are permitted to carry and use in appropriate circumstances, firearms and non lethal weapons such as gas or pepper spray, Taser gun (for administering an electric shock) and a baton. They also carry handcuffs.
Liaison with the GNR
Before commencing their nightly patrols the Night Guard checks in with the local GNR or PSP station and at the end of the shift reports to them again to brief them on any unusual circumstances or incidents. During the six hour shift, in the event of any unusual situations or incidents, the Night Guard can contact the GNR or PSP for support by radio or by mobile phone.
Obtaining the Night Guard Service in Your area
If you are interested in obtaining the services of a Night Guard in your area the following steps need to be taken: firstly talk to neighbours in your area and ascertain if there is a common interest in obtaining this service; if so make an application on behalf of the group to the Mayor of the local Câmara requesting this service; if endorsed by the Mayor, the Câmara conducts a tendering process to select the Night Guard(s) to cover the designated area. Once selected the Night Guard will approach those residents who have requested the service and other residents in the area to introduce himself, explain the service and seek a contribution.
The ASPGN will be happy to assist in the procedure, as they’ve done previously with some Town Halls. The contact details are contained in this feature.
Cost
Remuneration is in the form of voluntary contributions paid monthly or annually by property owners, which can range from as little as €20-€30 per month for a standard villa.
Community Views
Recently I received an email from a user of the Night Guard Service by the name of Andy White regarding the service specifically provided by José Santos. The message reads “We have used José Santos for approx. five years now and he has been an incredible help. When a neighbour nearby died suddenly during the night and his distraught wife called us, I immediately called the night guard and he in turn called the police and paramedics. Also recently when some very drunk and noisy holidaymakers were creating chaos and were seriously threatening the area, he was outside our house in less than two minutes, again he called the GNR who were there in minutes and dealt with what could have been a nasty situation”.
He added “It is difficult to explain to some residents the value of having an armed government-authorised guard in your area costing less than one Euro a day. In our area, Montinhos da Luz, only a few subscribe to the service, the rest assume that they get the advantage of having him in the area anyway. They do not realise that in the event of an accident or sudden death, as was the case with our neighbour, the police are under an obligation to investigate, and you find that all of a sudden the area is full of police, doctors, and paramedics, and just how reassuring it is to have your Night Guard by your side to assist you”.
Contact
To find out more about the work of the Night Guard service you may contact Mr. Santos by phone on 964 542 462 or by email at aspguardasnocturnos@gmail.com . Residents of Praia da Luz may also contact Mr. Santos as he is a Night Guard covering that area. The ASPGN website is www.guarda-nocturno.blogspot.com
Safe Communities Algarve fully supports the Night Guard Service as it provides an important supplement to the work and resources of the GNR and PSP in preventing crime and helping to ensure safe communities.
|| features@algarveresident.com
David Thomas is a former Assistant Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police, consultant to INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In October 2011 he formed Safe Communities Algarve an on-line platform here in the Algarve to help the authorities and the community prevent crime. 913 045 093
www.safecommunitiesalgarve.com
This article has been compiled by Safe Communities Algarve from the input of José dos Santos, Vice President of the Night Guard Association (Associação Sócio-Professional dos Guardas-Nocturnos) known as the ASPGN. The feature describes the Night Guard service in Portugal, its history, current roles and responsibilities, how it operates, steps required to create one in your area and who to contact.
History
The first reference to the Night Guard Service in Portugal was recorded in 1383 in conjunction with firefighters. They were deployed in the aftermath of the 1755 earthquake particularly in the Lisbon area. In 1975 after restructuring they were integrated as part of the security forces
So what is the Night Guard Service?
In effect it provides a para-police activity performing a service on behalf of the public. The service complements the service provided by the state police and security services with inherent powers.
Night Guards supplement the work of the GNR and PSP and provide a number of services over a six hour shift.
Night Guards are civilians selected by city councils (Camaras) through a competitive process to carry out specific duties in a designated area. One Night Guard is assigned per area and works traditionally from midnight to 6am, patrolling the area to prevent or detect unusual situations.
The Night Guard service is in operation throughout Portugal and in the Algarve covers the following areas: Tavira, Loulé, Quarteira, Portimão, Lagos, Praia da Luz, Faro and Vila Real Santo Antonio.
Night Guard Duties
The roles and duties of the Night Guard service are varied and include: a) Carrying out foot or vehicles patrols in a designated area and checking on properties registered with them; b) responding to alarms activated within subscribed clients’ properties; c) medical emergencies by obtaining medicine during the hours of the Night Guard service; d) exercising the power of arrest; e) providing general support to the GNR and PSP and f) providing a key-holder service to conduct checks on empty premises.
They are permitted to operate both in public and private areas.
Use of Force
As an official and licensed service, Night Guards wear uniform and are permitted to carry and use in appropriate circumstances, firearms and non lethal weapons such as gas or pepper spray, Taser gun (for administering an electric shock) and a baton. They also carry handcuffs.
Liaison with the GNR
Before commencing their nightly patrols the Night Guard checks in with the local GNR or PSP station and at the end of the shift reports to them again to brief them on any unusual circumstances or incidents. During the six hour shift, in the event of any unusual situations or incidents, the Night Guard can contact the GNR or PSP for support by radio or by mobile phone.
Obtaining the Night Guard Service in Your area
If you are interested in obtaining the services of a Night Guard in your area the following steps need to be taken: firstly talk to neighbours in your area and ascertain if there is a common interest in obtaining this service; if so make an application on behalf of the group to the Mayor of the local Câmara requesting this service; if endorsed by the Mayor, the Câmara conducts a tendering process to select the Night Guard(s) to cover the designated area. Once selected the Night Guard will approach those residents who have requested the service and other residents in the area to introduce himself, explain the service and seek a contribution.
The ASPGN will be happy to assist in the procedure, as they’ve done previously with some Town Halls. The contact details are contained in this feature.
Cost
Remuneration is in the form of voluntary contributions paid monthly or annually by property owners, which can range from as little as €20-€30 per month for a standard villa.
Community Views
Recently I received an email from a user of the Night Guard Service by the name of Andy White regarding the service specifically provided by José Santos. The message reads “We have used José Santos for approx. five years now and he has been an incredible help. When a neighbour nearby died suddenly during the night and his distraught wife called us, I immediately called the night guard and he in turn called the police and paramedics. Also recently when some very drunk and noisy holidaymakers were creating chaos and were seriously threatening the area, he was outside our house in less than two minutes, again he called the GNR who were there in minutes and dealt with what could have been a nasty situation”.
He added “It is difficult to explain to some residents the value of having an armed government-authorised guard in your area costing less than one Euro a day. In our area, Montinhos da Luz, only a few subscribe to the service, the rest assume that they get the advantage of having him in the area anyway. They do not realise that in the event of an accident or sudden death, as was the case with our neighbour, the police are under an obligation to investigate, and you find that all of a sudden the area is full of police, doctors, and paramedics, and just how reassuring it is to have your Night Guard by your side to assist you”.
Contact
To find out more about the work of the Night Guard service you may contact Mr. Santos by phone on 964 542 462 or by email at aspguardasnocturnos@gmail.com . Residents of Praia da Luz may also contact Mr. Santos as he is a Night Guard covering that area. The ASPGN website is www.guarda-nocturno.blogspot.com
Safe Communities Algarve fully supports the Night Guard Service as it provides an important supplement to the work and resources of the GNR and PSP in preventing crime and helping to ensure safe communities.
|| features@algarveresident.com
David Thomas is a former Assistant Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police, consultant to INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In October 2011 he formed Safe Communities Algarve an on-line platform here in the Algarve to help the authorities and the community prevent crime. 913 045 093
www.safecommunitiesalgarve.com
By: Algarve Resident
