Security Guard on Site Is Harrassing Me on a Public Road

LFullofheart on 30/01/2020 - 20:36

I purchased a piece in the west of Victoria off the plan. The developer is building a number of homes but there are also 30 lots that have settled and are building through private or volume builders.

The developer has hired a security company to guard the site. The road is now open and is a public road.

The first time I drove down to look at the land the security guard drove into the middle of the road and stopped me and told me I was trespassing and to leave. After talking to the developer, they said it was not the case. The second time I attended the security guard behaved aggressively yelling at me and telling me to shut up when I tried to tell him I had a right to drive to the lot I now had possession of it.

After a few more incidents and talks with the developer, the guard doesn't talk to me but now just follows me around the estate taking photos of me.

I'm honestly regretting buying in this estate and feel like I'm being harassed.

I've spoken to the police but they've told me it's a civil matter and they won't get involved.

Is there anything I can do to as I'm about to start building but I don't want to feel like I'm being watched everytime I go there

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Soluble on 30/01/2020 - 20:38
    +17

    Dang, there's a guard patrolling where your house is getting built? That sucks..

    I'd actually be happy if someone was patrolling my house while it was being built.

    • chumlee on 30/01/2020 - 20:48

      Yep. Seems OP would rather street hoodlums be on the streets stealing copper from the houses

    • Hoobz on 31/01/2020 - 10:41
      +1

      Also, as a tradie, I'd also love over zealous security looking over our equipment

    • BluPlox on 01/02/2020 - 15:35
      -1

      Oof.. you three are such fkin douchebags. What the fk is wrong with you?, What's the point of all the damn arrogance y'all be spewing?, What's so hard to comprehend about OP's issue?

      Did you perchance, even read the damn post on the first place? The dude seems to be legitimately harrassing OP.

      "Seems OP would rather street hoodlums be on the streets stealing copper from the houses"

      Bit-h shut your damn trap up. No actually, they'd just rather not be treated like sh-t on their own property. You sound like the kind of Chad that pulls a hissy fit when a bouncer doesn't let them in for like an obnoxiously drunk moron in the waiting line.

      Tell me, would you be all fine n'dandy if you saw a chef/cook/fast-food-employee spit in your food for hell of it, and as soon as you complained, some random exclaimed;
      "guess you'd rather starve then huh!?"

      "Hurrdurr, I lack any sort capacity for empathy, so I like being a judgey troll instead of saying something actually helpful"

      Grow up.

      • TheBilly on 03/02/2020 - 21:20

        That was difficult to read, interesting writing style, not conventional at all, but I made it to the end.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 30/01/2020 - 20:42
    -1

    Ask more people to go with you and harass him back, ask him to shut up and listen to you or he can call police.

    You are his boss indirectly as he is hire by the developer.

  • Allan on 30/01/2020 - 20:46
    +7

    At least you know he's doing his job. Maybe become full of heart and befriend the guard? A friend will also keep a better eye on your property

    • Fullofheart on 30/01/2020 - 20:48

      I tried… The second time, he put his hand up told me to shut up and stop arguing with him….

      • Godric on 30/01/2020 - 20:50

        How did you approach him?

        • Fullofheart on 30/01/2020 - 20:56

          The guard pulled up on my driver side door not letting me exit.
          Guard: what are you doing here
          Me: I just purchase this land, I'm inspecting the land.
          Guard: You are not allowed to be here
          Me: the developer said this is a public access road
          Guard: I don't care… This is a construction area you are not allowed here.
          Me: but I've spoken to the developer..
          Guard: don't argue with me… Just shut up

          Guard begins calling it in and making a false report saying there is an aggessive trouble maker on site…..

          Since then he has been advised not to do this, but he still follows me around the estate even though other people have started moving in down the street and he recognises me everytime I go there…

          • Artkin on 31/01/2020 - 08:03
            +6

            @Fullofheart: If you were a robber with the same cover story his behaviour would protect your interests. Sounds like he is good at his job.

            • ozboygsl on 31/01/2020 - 08:44
              +4

              @Artkin: yeah…like a robber is going to continually turn up at the same place after the "security guard" has been able to ID you.

          • ozboygsl on 31/01/2020 - 08:39
            +1

            @Fullofheart: just film it. If he stopped you getting out of your car , he's committing an offence.

            • Slippery Fish on 03/02/2020 - 21:28

              @ozboygsl: But is he? He has not detained you as you can still drive away lol.

    • ozboygsl on 31/01/2020 - 08:37
      +5

      Not sure how you can say something so stupid. He knows he's out of line and still continues. - and you call that him doing his job????

  • Speckled Jim on 30/01/2020 - 20:59

    Plenty of private security companies out there. Take your pick.
    Next time, go with an escort.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2020 - 21:00
      +37

      OP wants to get to the property, not get laid.

      • Speckled Jim on 30/01/2020 - 21:19

        Avail yourself to the many definitions of the word.
        My advice stands.

      • AdosHouse on 30/01/2020 - 22:01
        +3

        Why not both?

      • AdosHouse on 30/01/2020 - 23:40
        +3

        Better yet, hire the escort, and then go have sex on your new block with the guard watching.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2020 - 21:00
    +11

    security guard drove into the middle of the road and stopped me and told me I was trespassing and to leave.

    That's not a civil case.

    Someone intentionally blocking your passage on a public road and obviously behaving in an intimidating manner by leaving their vehicle and approaching yours is not something the police would typically ignore.

    Something tells me there is more to this than is being told.

    • Fullofheart on 30/01/2020 - 21:02

      I spoke to the police advisor, they said because I don't have a certificate of occupancy I'm not being harassed in my place of residence and I should take it up with the developer or persue a civil case. Until the security guard presents a weapon or attacks me, they will not do anything.

      They will only intervene when a crime has been committed

      • [Deactivated] on 31/01/2020 - 00:38
        +2

        Until the security guard presents a weapon or attacks me…

        That's not true.

        If a group of people, let's say men, corners a woman and politely ask her for her belongings… it doesn't stay a civil case because of polite language or lack of contact.

        Make a report. If you walk in and you've been ushered out, obviously the police won't have to do a thing as technically, they do not have to.

      • terrys on 31/01/2020 - 08:16
        +1

        In S.A., first aid trainers always point out that we cannot put our hand up to stop a car on a public road, as we would be committing the crime of impersonating a police officer…

        • [Deactivated] on 31/01/2020 - 09:30
          +2

          Terrys are you talking about a scenario where for example, there has been a car accident and a member of the public raises their hand to warn oncoming traffic of a hazard ahead? Or a member of the public is trying to stop a vehicle to get some assistance in an emergency situation?
          In these circumstances, no one has ever been or ever will be charged with impersonating a police officer.

          • terrys on 01/02/2020 - 09:08

            @[Deactivated]: That's my belief too Gazza, however the context is " no crime has been committed". Whilst I doubt that the police would press charges in the circumstances the trainers were referencing, my point was that the security guard was in fact commiting a crime.

      • Slippery Fish on 03/02/2020 - 21:30

        Easy, make him assault you.

    • Almost Banned on 30/01/2020 - 22:39
      +3

      Sadly this is the type of thing police routinely ignore.
      In fact in my experience if it isn't something obvious the police will always revert to their 'this is a civil matter, seek your own legal advice' mantra.

      • Tee Rex Arms on 31/01/2020 - 05:11
        +1

        Would you rather police prioritise their finite resources towards this, or incidents of domestic violence, assault, property and personal theft, road accidents, missing persons, deceased persons etc. I know where I’d like the police to be.

        • WreckTangle on 31/01/2020 - 07:06

          All civil cases…

        • Almost Banned on 31/01/2020 - 17:52

          There is an argument that overlooking any crime, big or small, creates a climate of criminality.
          There is also a line of thinking that ignoring small crimes leads to big crimes.
          I think the cops should investigate crimes, and when someone comes to them with a complaint of a crime, they should act on that complaint.

          • Tee Rex Arms on 01/02/2020 - 01:18

            @Almost Banned: So when the police are investigating this matter, that’s a resource that’s drawn from dealing with more urgent matters.

            • Almost Banned on 01/02/2020 - 09:36

              @Tee Rex Arms: If you are worried about resource allocation do you feel that police shouldn't prioritise crimes with low prospects of successful prosecution too?

      • Artkin on 31/01/2020 - 08:04

        Yep, there are personality types where they want to be heard. The trick to managing these people is to make them pay for their 'right'. The courts is where they truly pay

  • bdl on 30/01/2020 - 21:04
    +1

    Hopefully the guard uses Ozbargain

  • HeWhoKnows on 30/01/2020 - 21:13
    +3

    Since OP owns the lot he has every right to enter the land as has been confirmed by the developer.
    Certificate of occupancy is only granted when the house is built and certified that it complies.
    See here: https://build.com.au/practical-completion-and-certificates-o…
    So this is a complete load of Cr…p from the police as OP can enter his vacant land at any time.
    It is illegal to harrass or assault people so OP can warn the security guard to back off or report him to the police for harrassment and assualt.
    Op should warn the guard that he will see to it that the guard is charged and never work as a security guard again.
    Make sure you have someone with you as a witness at all times and capture any harrassment on video as it may be required as evidence in court.
    OP could also take note of the firm the guard works for and make a formal complaint to the company and ask that the guard be removed from that post.

  • Archi on 30/01/2020 - 21:13

    Many years ago I bought a block of land in an estate and made the mistake of not hiring a fence to go around it.

    Other house were being built and we were in the process of documentation.

    Someone dumped a whole of dirt and rubbish on the site. Only realising this when the it came time to educate and level the block.

    Company had to charge extra couple of thousand dollars to get rid of excess that wasn't there when we signed the contracts

    Lesson learned. Good thing there is someone patrolling

  • holdenmg on 30/01/2020 - 21:17
    +21

    go back to the Police…

    Tell them that you want to register a formal complaint (in Victoria) under Private Security Act 2004

    ‘48. Complaints
    ‘1. A person who is affected by the conduct of the holder of a private security licence that is carried on under the licence may make a complaint to the Chief Commissioner about that conduct.
    https://tinyurl.com/szg4bq7

    • HeWhoKnows on 30/01/2020 - 21:22
      +2

      here here
      well done

  • Clear on 30/01/2020 - 21:22
    +3

    Pull out your phone and film them. Good for the suggestion above as evidence.

  • GangGang on 30/01/2020 - 21:59

    Is the security guard one of those contractors that drive around in a Toyota yaris type car?

    Once all the lands settle and registered, he will be gone.

  • Ugly on 30/01/2020 - 22:03
    +3

    Is this one of the few times when “bikies” is actually a valid answer?

    • bdl on 30/01/2020 - 22:36
      +4

      bikkies (eg. Tim Tams) to bribe the guard would also work

  • AdosHouse on 30/01/2020 - 22:06
    +1

    Oh man, if I was in the OPs situation, I would take it upon myself to be driving there a LOT, and if I see the guard, doing slow drive bys of him.

    I get that it is a bonus to have a guard overseeing the area, but if I have purchased the lot, then I will ruddy well go there when I like.

  • brad1-8tsi on 30/01/2020 - 22:21
    +2

    The security guard probably has a boss. Ring them

  • Euphemistic on 30/01/2020 - 22:49
    +2

    If they follow you just make a three point turn where it’s difficult, then when they’ve done he same to follow you do another, and another, and another. Drove past your block, turn around and do it again.

    Get a yellow vest and some survey gear and hop out and survey your block, daily. Take some tools look like you are working out how to design your build.

  • Numlock on 31/01/2020 - 01:24
    +2

    Bikies or curries.

  • godofpizza on 31/01/2020 - 02:34
    +1

    start recording your discussions with the guard the next time you see them and present them to the developer.

  • EightImmortals on 31/01/2020 - 07:50
    +2

    "the guard doesn't talk to me but now just follows me around the estate taking photos of me."

    So take a few shots of him and see how it likes it.

  • haimrevolution on 31/01/2020 - 07:57
    -5

    Take him a bottle of wine or something nothing expensive and just say look I realise we got off on the wrong foot and you are just trying to do your job so think of this as a peace offering. He will get the idea

    • garetz on 31/01/2020 - 08:19
      +9

      The guy is obviously a bully, you dont reward bullies, it just makes them more bold.

      • haimrevolution on 04/02/2020 - 08:45

        Much better to always be opposed and potentially have him do something to your property.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/01/2020 - 08:14
    +1

    Record him and have the video upload to Facebook in case he tries anything. Make a complaint to his company, and the developer any time he does it.

  • jason101 on 31/01/2020 - 08:39
    +2

    While it shouldn't be required simply phone the security guards office during office hours, tell them who you are, your vehicles details and that you have a right to be there and will be there. You shouldn't have to but hey - if someone else is paying a guard to guard the site it means theft onsite exceeds probably $1000 per night on average. Build your house quickly while someone else is paying to guard the estate.

  • ozboygsl on 31/01/2020 - 08:42
    +3
    1. go to a Dr.
    2. talk about the stress…get a prescription or 2
    3. talk with a lawyer
      4.lawyer talks with developer
      5.developer fits a muzzle on the "guard" - who in this case is just a thug.
    • parisienne on 31/01/2020 - 18:13
      +1

      Love point 5 ozboygst.The "guard" is a thug who is doing security because he wanted to be a cop but couldn't cut it (and throwing his weight around in an attempt to display some type of non existent "power")

  • jackinyourbox on 31/01/2020 - 08:47

    Have you tried the finger in the hole guesture whilst driving really slow past him?

  • Ocker on 31/01/2020 - 08:50

    Has the road network actually been declared/registewred as public access roadways, or are they still part of the private land development?

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 31/01/2020 - 09:21

    It's impossible to decipher what's going on here without an MS Paint pic.

  • OzHunterNSW on 31/01/2020 - 10:51
    +2

    Ignore him/her… they have an issue… they failed their police entrance course and now feel the world owes them.

    Just drive on by

  • Zachary on 31/01/2020 - 13:32

    Annoy him back, make him throw the first punch(And of course dodge it if you can…), then you can fight back on self-defense.

  • TheBilly on 03/02/2020 - 21:26

    Are you entering a gate or some form of physical barrier to get to your block? that may be it, breakdown in communication. If it is just an open road that anyone in Australia can just drive onto, the security guard is being a dick.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join