Sometimes, the power of authority goes straight to some people’s heads. While this can happen in all walks of life, it can often be witnessed in individuals who are tasked with upholding the law. Case in point: a clip depicting an overzealous security guard harassing a resident who actually lives on the property is circulating across social media platforms right now. In fact, the footage was shared to Reddit earlier today, and the internet is not very pleased with the way the “rental cop” conducts himself. Check it out below:
The video footage is recorded from the perspective of the driver in his vehicle, and begins with said security guard, donned in black uniform and black cap, confronting the cameraman. “I’m about to go to the store.” declares the driver. In response, the security guard replies, “Okay, so go. Get moving. If I see you back on property, you’ll be detained.”
“Who are you, dude?” asks the driver. “I’m property security,” the guard fires back. “I’m with front range patrol, 33.” The cameraman asks the guard what his name is, and he responds, “I don’t have to give you my name. I’m not a police officer. You don’t pay my pay check. Your taxes have nothing to do with me.”
“I don’t have to give you my name.” the cameraman responds. It’s at this point that the guard escalates the situation and opens the driver’s door, saying: “Okay, I’m gonna have to ask you to step out of the vehicle. I’m not gonna do this while you’re sat in your vehicle.” At the same time, the security guard unholsters his taser to show that he means business.
After a short back and forth, the driver states: “I live here.” The security guard — who is profusely chewing gum — continues: “Okay, what unit? So I can advise property management who on their property is acting like an absolute child. And making threats. You told me ‘do you really want to do this?’ when I simply asked you to turn the music down and stop smoking in the parking lot.”
“I turned it down. And you opened my door.” replies the driver, before repeating: “I live here.” This part of the confrontation is the real kicker, though. “I don’t care.” fires back the security guard nonchalantly.
With over 2.5k upvotes and 790 comments on Reddit and over 240k likes on TikTok, the footage of the awkward confrontation is taking the internet by storm. Comments came in thick and fast condemning the actions of the high-strung security guard.
A second commenter remarked: “1000% failed cop school and settled for security guard“
A further Redditor wrote: “Hahahah.. oh man, that poor kid is in for a rude awakening at some point, whether it’s in or out of a courtroom. Love the berserk gum-chewing, too, like he’s some sort of valley girl. What a treat.“
Over on TikTok, a netizen commented, ““i live here” “i don’t care” bro what 😭🙏”
While the fallout of the incident is unclear, it’s fair to say that the way the security guard handled the situation lacked professionalism. Not only was he overly confrontational, but his gum-chewing decorum came across as a little too pushy and quite dismissive at the same time. With hope, the security guard has reflected on this embarrassing incident and has learnt a lesson from the experience. Fingers crossed, anyway.