‘Mr. G.’ has been an armed security guard for 42 years, takes it seriously
Pueblo CO July 16 2018
He wears a badge, a body camera, a TASER and a firearm.
His blue shirt is pressed with a crease above navy blue pants that have a lighter blue stripe down the leg.
A nameplate reading “Mr. G” is pinned to the right side of his chest.
“It’s professional. People take you more serious in the job I do when you look like you are supposed to be protecting people,” said Jim Gonzales while seated behind his desk at Titan Shield Security, a business he started some 42 years ago.
From his appearance, at first glance, you might think Gonzales is a police officer or a sheriff’s deputy, but he’s not. And if you call him a rent-a-cop, the soft-spoken professional will only smile at you because he knows his job is much more important than that.
“That’s part of the job. You put up with that kind of stuff,” he said.
He’s been shot at. He’s had to pull out his gun. He’s been in “situations.”
Gonzales said he and his staff see a lot while doing security in Pueblo — the town he grew up in and said he loves.
“When I first started, people were more down to Earth. They were less aggressive and a lot more mellow,” Gonzales said.
“It’s sad to say that this makes business busier for us. People are afraid and they want protection. That’s when I come in.”
In 1975, Gonzales, who had been driving trucks to make enough money to raise his daughter with his former spouse, was approached by an acquaintance in the security business.
“I got into it then. I liked doing it,” he said.
“Like all partners, we started to clash a little bit. So we decided to go our separate ways.”
That company was called Community Protective.
Gonzales started Titan Shield Security in 1976.
“I’ve always liked the word “titan.” I looked it up to see the definition, and it went perfectly with what I wanted to do,” he said.
“It is small in size and big in power, and I love that. I thought that was so cool. And the shield represents us shielding people,” he said as he made a fist across his chest, simulating someone holding a shield.
“I just love helping people and helping to protect them and businesses,” said Gonzales. “It was something definitely needed in Pueblo. At that time there weren’t many security businesses.”
Titan has had guards at several posts and events around town, including the Colorado State Fair, Catholic Church festivals, concerts and weddings, and they currently provide security at Pueblo City Schools (D60) School Board meetings.
“Believe it or not, sometimes people get out of hand at those meetings,” said Gonzales, who provided security during the Pueblo teachers’ and paraprofessionals’ strike in May.
Gonzales has hundreds of sleepless nights with his job, mainly because of what he sees as a change in peoples’ attitudes and mentality.
“Things are a little more dangerous now,” he said. “The world can be ugly, and we are here to protect people from that.
“We have to look at everything now. We have to be more aware of our surroundings. We have to be open-minded, more careful and more visual than ever before.”
Gonzales said there are more threats.
“People and businesses need protection. There are some people that just don’t care about anything and they will do almost anything. It’s the world we live in,” he said.
Gonzales, who is also trained in martial arts, said he is dealing with a lot more people who seem to have mental problems.
“People are really getting out of hand. They are willing to hurt people for no reason. I am glad that there are people like us that can help. It makes a huge difference,” he said.
Gonzales said training is the most important aspect of his job and is something he requires of all employees. He also uses psychology.
“It helps us cope with the way things are in the world,” he said.
Gonzales said some jobs may be too dangerous to take on, so he doesn’t sign on.
“I feel that I have arrived in this time of my life where I can pick the jobs we want to do for our safety. I don’t want to put my people, myself or my family in danger,” he said.
There have been occasions when people have threatened Gonzales and his family at home.
“They want to mess up my house and break windows on my car and stuff like that,” he said. “You do make enemies in the job.”
In the 42 years Gonzales has worked in security, he has never been sued.
“That’s very, very hard, not to be sued,” he said.
Training is a big reason for that, said Gonzales.
“The body cameras also help. It’s easy for people to point fingers and blame us for things, but with cameras, it clears that all up on both sides,” he said.
Soon after a gunman killed four journalists and a sales assistant at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Md., Gonzales was hired by The Pueblo Chieftain to patrol the parking lot.
“That incident was horrible. We are happy to help The Chieftain,” Gonzales said.
Titan has a staff of 25 people, including Gonzales’ son, James Gonzales.
“He’s ready to take over. I’ll just monitor,” the elder Gonzales said with a laugh.
“My family life is my whole world. I have always had the support of my family, and that is what made it possible for me to keep going further.”
Gonzales said he’s gone through ups and downs in his business and in life.
“You have to go with the flow. When it’s negative, you have the support of your family. … The times have gotten better for me,” he said with emotion.
With his job being 24/7, Gonzales said his family often worries about situations he could possibly be involved in.
“They worry, but they know that I am not paranoid and that I am aware of things around me,” he said. “That’s the main thing in this line of work. And I get that.
“If you get paranoid, you won’t make it in this business. I don’t care what anyone says.”
Gonzales has run across several celebrities through his profession.
“It’s always a thrill for me,” he said with a smile.
In the 1990’s, actor and activist Edward James Olmos came to town and Gonzales was head of his security team.
“That was so much fun. Olmos is a great actor. I loved his style and his philosophy. He is wonderful,” Gonzales said with pride.
Gonzales also helped secure singer and actor Wayne Newton.
“Boy, that was a blast. I liked that song he sang. What was it? “Danke Schoen”? I don’t know. Was that it? I liked that song.”
Gonzales said celebrities are regular, everyday people.
“Everybody thinks just because they are celebrities that they are not normal. They are a little bit different, but to be with them shows you that they are just like we are. They are really nice.
“I was happy that I could cover events like that. … We sure enjoy when we take care of celebrities.”
Their roles may seem the same from afar, but essentially their functions differ.
Security guards like Gonzales are crime-, threat- and risk-prevention officers assigned to protect specific people and property. This may include detecting some of the same offenses that would cause a peace officer to act, such as a fight or burglary. But it does not include other offenses, such as motor vehicle traffic violations or car accidents. The security guard’s concern is to protect persons and prevent damage or destruction to property.
Gonzales said that Titan Shield Security is the “extra eyes and ears of law enforcement.”
“They are our brothers in blue,” said Gonzales. “We are kind of the same, but they are more highly trained. I get ideas of training from the police. They help us out and we help them. I take that philosophy into what we do.
“We stand out above the rest of the security businesses because of our training. I take that serious. It may save your life some time.”
Gonzales has a fleet of eight patrol cars, and they resemble police cars.
“We try to be as perfect as possible and as professional as possible,” he said. “The patrols have a sign on them that says ‘Pride and Professionalism.'”
The fleet is also tricked out with lights and sirens, mainly used during funeral processions.
“We have special permission from the county and the state to have lights and sirens,” said Gonzales. “I’ve been doing processions since 1976. I love doing them. It makes my heart feel good because the families have lost a loved one and we are helping them feel more important.”
Gonzales said the people in Pueblo make him excited to work.
“I love taking care of Pueblo,” he said.
“That’s why I am in this business. We have great, beautiful people here. Of course, there are some that aren’t, but that’s also why I’m in business,” he added with a laugh.
chieftain.com
