Messenger centers another layer building security

Since 9/11, more building owners have invested millions of dollars to protect their buildings and tenants. However, one area that has largely gone unreported is rite increasing presence of on-premise messenger

Messenger centers serve a vital function to the security of a building by limiting outside traffic and providing a uniformed presence while streamlining the incoming and outgoing flow of materials.

The Daily News building, at 220 E. 42nd St., recently requested Bright Star Couriers to set up its messenger center. This is the first such center for the 73-year old building. Since acquiring Bright Star Couriers in December 2001. Alliance Building Services has set up 13 messenger centers throughout New York City, including centers at 2 Park Avenue and 21 Penn Plaza.

Although messenger centers are predominately seen as an amenity in Class "A" buildings, more recently landlords and managers are installing them in every class of building.

Previously, messenger centers Were installed due to the large size of the building, a high volume of messenger traffic or whether there had been acts of vandalism or graffiti in the building. Currently, they are regarded as an additional building security measure.

Our messenger centers are staffed by trained individuals responsible for the receipt and delivery of packages thus adding another layer of security for the building's occupants. All delivery personnel (except for postal carriers) are required to enter the messenger center to leave and pick up packages, rather than enter the various tenant spaces.

The messenger center staff sign for and accept all deliveries, log the time and details of the receipt, and forward the delivery to the proper addressee within the building. A uniformed employee personally delivers packages to your tenants or escorts the messenger to the tenant space, if the tenant prefers. For outgoing packages, orders may be placed with the messenger center staff, or Bright Star Couriers delivery service directly. The item is then picked up and delivered.

Tenants feel safer and more secure when they know that messengers are being monitored and supervised by a messenger center. Plus, there is the convenience of "one-stop-shopping" for deliveries. All the tenants have to do is make one phone call to the messenger center to have their packages picked up and delivered.

Messenger centers are a discreet addition to building security. It is realistic to predict they will be in place in every major building in the next five years, as more building owners and landlords recognize the importance of securing a building at its entrance points. The centers limit the number of access points into a building as well as the number of outsiders on site.

We at Alliance Building Services are confident that the added security layer of messenger centers into many office buildings, along with the dedicated work of security and law enforcement personnel, assist daily in making the office buildings of New York City safe and secure environments for all tenants and guests.

MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ PRESIDENT, ABS

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