Former security guard Rick Eldridge is awaiting official word from the province on getting his security license back. He hopes to start up his own business soon (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

WEST VICTORIA SECURITY

Former West Victoria Street security guard involved in assault hoping to return to protecting streets

Jun 8, 2021 | 5:14 PM

KAMLOOPS — Rick Eldridge hopes to be protecting the streets of West Victoria Street again soon.

It’s been three months without a job after a video surfaced of Eldridge assaulting a street person.

“It’s been hell. I’m living in my car. I’m on EI (employment insurance), but I’m not making a lot of money,” he said. “I can’t find a place to live because I can’t afford it.”

As a security guard with Lapper Security, Eldridge said he endured constant verbal abuse during his year patrolling West Vic. On the day of the assault, Eldridge had been pushed to his limit.

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“I defended myself down at 48 West [Victoria]. He spat in my face, he pushed me, and I’ve dealt with him every day that I was on shift,” he noted. “When someone spits in my face, that’s assault, especially with COVID, and I defended myself.”

Three months later, the charges against Eldridge aren’t being pursued by the RCMP. He’s looking at returning to security, just awaiting for official word on getting his license back after it was revoked and he was suspended by the province shortly after the incident.

His former employer, Lapper Security, will not be bringing him back, although Eldridge would not have wanted to return anyway. He now wants to start his own security company, hoping to continue working with businesses along West Victoria Street.

“I’m hoping to get a contract through the stores, and I’ll hire staff that I know will do the job. Not security that has hoodies over their head and earphones in their ears, looking at the sidewalk, talking on their phones,” said Eldridge.

The businesses along West Victoria Street say security has worsened since Eldridge lost his security license in March.

“It’s not the same. With Rick, we felt very safe when he was on the street,” said Stereo Warehouse Owner Mindy Sandhu. “Anytime something happened, or somebody walked into our store or did anything, we just called Rick. Saying ‘Rick, this is what’s happening,’ and he would literally be right there.”

Businesses say the same thing can’t be said about the RCMP. Eldridge observed the same during his patrols and he wants more police presence.

However, the Kamloops RCMP say a file is generated for every call for service, whether West Victoria Street or other areas of the city.

“Please don’t hesitate call us. We’ll get to it as soon as we can,” said Cst. Crystal Evelyn from the Kamloops RCMP. “Sometimes we have to prioritize the calls that we respond to, so if there’s violence occurring between two people, that would obviously take priority.”