Minister seeks to expand security guards' authorities
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan requests legal amendment to allow guards in crowded places to detain people until the arrival of police, demand identification, and refuse entry, among other things.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan this week approached Knesset Internal Affairs and Environment Committee Chairman David Amsalem with a request to expand the authority of security guards in public places.
Minister Erdan asked for an amendment that would apply to guards at public institutions, shopping malls, and places like convention halls and public pools.
According to the writ that is to be presented to the committee, the guards will be able to detain individuals until the arrival of a police officer when someone commits an act of violence at the location they are guarding. The amendment would also authorize guards to demand the person's name and identification card.
The security guards would also be permitted to prevent entry and remove people from the location. These authorities would apply to, among others, guards on trains, light rail, rabbinical courts, shopping malls that include at least 10 businesses or whose total area is greater than 1,000 square meters, hotels, rabbinical courts, public swimming pools and water parks, banquet halls, and convention centers, as well as amphitheaters or any outdoor space where cultural, entertainment and sports events are held.
The Authorities for Protecting Public Safety law, enacted in 2005, states that such powers should be exercised in order to protect the public from terrorist activity and violence.
