My name is Demetrus Dugar. I have been a security officer in Seattle for over 14 years. It’s a hard job, the responsibility of keeping your city—and the people in it—as safe as possible. I take our work very seriously.
Today, security is a job that has been deemed essential. And I believe that all essential workers—security officers, janitors, airport workers—should get essential pay for the important role we play.
I want folks to know that security officers always play an important role. We are often the first on a scene in an emergency situation. As frontline responders we are part of the chain of safety in neighborhoods across the country, working with police and fire departments when needed.
During this crisis, we're playing a crucial role securing hospitals, grocery stores, businesses and more. We are there to protect, but also to help enforce social distancing practices and provide a familiar face and create calm.
Every day I go to work, I put my health—and the health of my loved ones—on the line.
Every day I come home from work, I worry I will spread this to my family—my partner, my four daughters, including my 5-month-old.
I just want to make sure at the end of the day that I’m protected too. That’s why I’m pushing for the next stimulus package to include essential pay for essential workers, for the proper PPE—gloves and masks—for those of us who can’t stay home, and for layoff protections so we all make it through this as best as possible.
Tell Congress: Protect essential property service workers' jobs, health, and economic stability
