Confusion remains over what Norfolk’s Community Services Board security officer duties are
NORFOLK VA December 4 2018
Security guards working at Norfolk’s Community Services Board are expected to intervene in “altercations” between clients and in “all crimes,” according to documents released by the city.
That stands in direct contrast to what CSB director Sarah Paige Fuller said in an interview with The Virginian-Pilot two weeks ago, after CSB staff and security did not intervene in a beating that left a man in a coma.
On Nov. 15, Michael Craig was having a mental health crisis and showed up to the CSB with his mother. Erick Davis was there to pick up a disability check. After waiting for care at the CSB for two hours, Craig’s mother said he started beating Davis unprovoked.
Davis wound up in a coma and is still in critical condition, though family members said Monday he has improved and has finally opened his eyes after more than two weeks. Craig has been charged with malicious wounding.
Gaynelle Craig said she was the only one trying to stop her son from hurting Davis after the security guard retreated down a hallway.
When pressed on the CSB’s security procedures during an interview on Nov. 19, Fuller said that if violence occurs, staff members – including contracted security guards – are instructed not to intervene.
“If it’s going to escalate to physical violence, we call the police,” Fuller said.
However, that contradicts CSB’s Standard Operating Procedures document.
“Security Officers should intervene in altercations between consumers and any negative behaviors in the lobby, halls or around the premises,” reads a section of guidelines for security guards working at the Virginia Beach Boulevard facility where the Nov. 15 beating occurred.
The document states that these “directives are necessary due to the type of consumers that may receive services (e.g., persons with mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse disorders).”
The SOP goes on to instruct guards to not call the police unless the situation appears to be life-threatening.
“Security Officers are to intervene on all crimes observed but should only call police if they assess that their lives, consumers lives, or staff’s lives are in danger,” the SOP says. “Staff prefers to handle all program related violations on the premises administratively.”
When the Virginian-Pilot tried to reach Fuller for comment on Monday, city spokeswoman Lori Crouch responded by saying: “We have received verbal notice of legal action from one of the families therefore we decline your request to interview Sarah.”
Davis’ family confirmed they hired a lawyer on Dec. 1 and have contacted the city about a lawsuit.
The security company, Top Guard, has provided security for city of Norfolk facilities since 2004 and currently holds a $2.5 million annual contract with the city. That contract includes staffing 34 different locations for the city, including three CSB facilities.
When contacted for comment, Top Guard vice-president Christ Stuart directed the Virginian-Pilot back to the city.
Crouch said Monday the CSB has had a police officer on duty at the Virginia Beach Boulevard office since the Nov. 15 attack.
However, Fuller and Crouch have also refused to acknowledge that any violent incident occurred, saying to do so would violate federal medical privacy laws.
An incident report from the Norfolk Police Department shows that police responded to the CSB’s Virginia Beach Boulevard facility on Nov. 15, arrested Craig and charged him with malicious wounding. That report identifies Davis as the victim.
In interviews with the Virginian-Pilot, the families of both men have confirmed the incident occurred.
Norfolk’s CSB provides services to 7,000 clients each year who can’t afford private services for mental health, substance abuse or developmental disorders – a population Fuller described as “the most in need of services and the most vulnerable.”
PilotonLine
