Dahlcore Security Guard Services provides licensed, shelter-trained security officers to homeless shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing across New York City — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island — plus Long Island and New York State. Shelter settings ask more of an officer than a commercial post: the work is to keep everyone — residents, staff, and visitors — safe, while treating every person with dignity. Our officers lead with de-escalation and trauma-informed communication, balancing consistent, fair access control with respect for the people the shelter serves. Founded in 2018 and led by Ian Dahlberg, who brings over 23 years of security experience, our veteran-owned team builds post orders around each site’s intake schedule, curfew windows, access points, and resident needs — so coverage supports the shelter’s mission rather than working against it.
Security for New York Shelters & Supportive Housing
Shelter security protects residents, staff, and visitors through controlled access, attentive patrols, and calm, de-escalation-first response — delivered in a way that supports stability and dignity rather than creating an institutional or punitive atmosphere. Dahlcore assigns officers trained for shelter settings and writes post orders with your directors and operations staff, so coverage fits your intake schedule, your curfew windows, and the people your site serves.
What We Cover, by Setting
- Emergency & assessment shelters — 24/7 coverage, intake-hour lobby management, and an attentive overnight presence when staffing is thinnest
- Transitional & supportive housing — observation-led, resident-sensitive coverage that supports stability and coordinates with your social-service staff
- Family shelters — a calm, welcoming, non-institutional presence with controlled entry and careful visitor management
- Access control & visitor management — entrance monitoring, resident sign-in and out, visitor registration, and banned-visitor or trespass enforcement as directed by management
- Patrols & safety sweeps — floors, stairwells, common areas, and the perimeter, with checks for propped doors, lighting outages, and blocked exits
- Incident response & documentation — de-escalate first, notify staff and a supervisor, support EMS or NYPD within post-order scope, and file a written report
A calm, consistent presence at the front desk
In a shelter, the officer at the entrance sets the tone for the whole site. A trained, even-tempered presence — one who enforces the rules the same way for everyone, knows the intake routine, and speaks to residents with respect — keeps the door secure without making anyone feel unwelcome. Dahlcore officers are selected and trained for exactly that balance.
Why Shelter Operators Choose Dahlcore
Licensed, shelter-trained, and accountable — Dahlcore supports New York shelters and the residents and staff inside them.
Licensed & Background-Checked
Dahlcore is a licensed New York security guard agency (NY Department of State). Every officer is registered under New York’s Security Guard Act (General Business Law Article 7-A) with the NY Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services (NYSDOLS), thoroughly background-checked, and trained through DCJS-approved programs. Dahlcore is licensed, insured, and bonded, carrying general-liability ($1M / $2M) and workers’-compensation coverage; documentation is available on request.
Veteran-Owned & Owner-Managed
Dahlcore is veteran-owned and operated — founded in 2018 and led by Ian Dahlberg, who brings over 23 years of security experience — and the owner personally manages guards in the office and in the field. Officers are held to law-enforcement and military standards, and to a calm, respectful, resident-appropriate demeanor.
Trauma-Informed & Shelter-Trained
Officers complete shelter-specific training before their first shift — de-escalation and conflict reduction, trauma-informed communication with residents in crisis, access control and visitor management, and emergency-response coordination — beyond New York State’s baseline requirements. De-escalation is the first tool, not the last.
Accountable & Documented
Each shelter account has a named program manager, geofenced tour verification, and digital incident reporting — so administrators get consistent coverage, one accountable contact, and clean, auditable records useful for DHS and funder reporting. No rotating roster of anonymous guards, and no call center between you and your coverage.
Shelter Security Services
Dignity-First Practice & Reporting Support
Operational context, not legal advice. New York’s shelter system — much of it operating under the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and other funders — runs around the clock and serves people through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Dahlcore officers are trained to support that mission: keep everyone safe, treat every resident with respect, and coordinate with your staff, counsel, and law-enforcement partners rather than replacing them.
- Trauma-informed communication — officers lead with de-escalation and observation over enforcement, work alongside your social-service staff, and are trained to keep order without a punitive atmosphere
- DHS & funder reporting support — consistent written incident reports and geofenced, digital documentation formatted to support your DHS and funder reporting and internal safety reviews
- Emergency readiness — officers are trained to recognize medical emergencies (including overdose), administer naloxone (Narcan) when trained, and summon EMS immediately, and to support lockdown or evacuation aligned to your site’s emergency plan
- Fire & life safety — where a shelter’s classification requires FDNY-credentialed fire-safety personnel (F-02 Fire Guard, F-80 Coordinator of Fire Safety, or F-89 Fire Life Safety Director), Dahlcore can cover those posts too — see our Fire Watch and Fire Life Safety Director pages
How Dahlcore Secures Your Shelter
A structured path from first call to on-site coverage — built around your site, your residents, and your operations.
Site Assessment
A program manager walks the site, maps access points, coverage gaps, and hot spots, and reviews your intake schedule and emergency plan with your directors.
Site-Specific Post Orders
Written post orders define patrol routes, visitor and curfew protocols, de-escalation and emergency procedures, and escalation contacts specific to your site — before officers arrive, not after.
Officer Deployment
Shelter-trained, background-checked officers are briefed on your rules and your residents’ needs and posted — calm and respectful from day one.
Daily Coverage & Reporting
Access control, patrols, and de-escalation-first incident response, with same-shift written reports and geofenced verification delivered to management.
Program Review
Your program manager delivers periodic reviews with incident summaries and adjusts posts and coverage as census, conditions, or funder requirements change.
Security that supports the mission, not against it
The right shelter security keeps everyone safe while helping residents feel stable enough to engage with services. With officers trained in de-escalation and trauma-informed communication, post orders built around your operations, and documentation you can use for DHS and funder reporting, Dahlcore gives directors accountability and calm — without turning the site into an institution.
What Shapes Your Shelter Security Plan
Dahlcore scopes every site to its setting, population, and schedule. These are the factors that shape the plan.
1. Facility Type & Population
Emergency, transitional, supportive, or family housing, and the residents you serve, shape post count, coverage zones, and training emphasis.
2. Coverage Hours & Posts
Intake hours, curfew transitions, overnight shifts, and entrances drive how many posts and which hours — from targeted peak-risk windows to 24/7 coverage.
3. Unarmed or Armed
Unarmed officers are the standard for shelters, consistent with a dignity-first, de-escalation-focused environment. Armed coverage is considered only for specific elevated-risk posts, after a documented risk assessment and in line with any city or funder guidance (armed officers hold a valid NYS pistol license, Penal Law §400).
4. Trauma-Informed & Emergency Needs
Your residents’ needs, your de-escalation expectations, and your emergency, fire-safety, and evacuation procedures.
5. Systems & Reporting
How officers coordinate with your cameras and access systems, and the documentation you need for DHS, funders, and internal review.
Shelter Security FAQ
Clear answers for New York shelter directors, operations managers, and program leaders. For anything not covered here, call 212-208-0900.
Where can I hire homeless shelter security guards in New York?
Dahlcore Security Guard Services provides licensed, shelter-trained security officers across New York City — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island — plus Long Island and New York State, for emergency shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing. Request a no-cost assessment or call 212-208-0900; initial consultations are free.
What makes shelter security different from standard commercial security?
Shelter security prioritizes de-escalation, trauma-informed communication, and a consistent, respectful routine over property-focused deterrence. Officers work alongside your social-service staff rather than independently, and post orders are built around resident welfare as much as facility protection — keeping everyone safe without creating an institutional or punitive atmosphere.
Are your shelter officers licensed in New York State?
Yes. Dahlcore is a licensed New York security guard agency (NY Department of State), and every officer holds a valid New York State security guard registration under the Security Guard Act (General Business Law Article 7-A), issued through the NY Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services (NYSDOLS). Officers complete NYS-mandated training — an 8-hour pre-assignment course, 16 hours of on-the-job training, and 8 hours of annual in-service — through DCJS-approved programs, and shelter-assigned officers complete additional shelter-specific training before deployment.
Can shelter security be staffed 24/7?
Yes. Dahlcore can staff full 24/7 coverage or build schedules around your peak-risk windows — intake hours, curfew transitions, and overnight shifts. Many shelters begin with targeted coverage and expand after reviewing their first weeks of incident data with their program manager.
How does Dahlcore handle incidents at a shelter?
Officers are trained to de-escalate first, separate parties early, and notify staff and a supervisor immediately. If law enforcement or EMS is needed, officers follow the facility’s post orders and escalation protocols and support responders within their training and scope. Every incident is documented in a written report submitted to management and reviewed by a Dahlcore supervisor.
Do you support supportive and transitional housing, not just emergency shelters?
Yes. Dahlcore serves emergency and assessment shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, and family shelters across New York. Staffing is calibrated so the security presence supports resident stability rather than creating an institutional feel — with more emphasis on observation, presence, and staff coordination at supportive sites.
Do you provide armed or unarmed shelter security?
Unarmed officers are the standard for shelters, and consistent with a dignity-first, de-escalation-focused environment. Armed coverage is considered only for specific elevated-risk posts — for example, certain overnight exterior positions — after a documented risk assessment and in line with any city or funder guidance. Armed officers are licensed under New York’s pistol-license law (Penal Law §400). Dahlcore will advise on the right model for your site.
How quickly can Dahlcore start shelter security coverage?
After a site assessment and post-order confirmation, coverage can begin quickly, subject to officer availability, required certifications, and post complexity. For a sudden staffing gap or an urgent city or funder requirement, Dahlcore prioritizes rapid assessment and works to place qualified officers on a priority basis — emergency requests are reviewed directly by an operations supervisor, not a general queue. Call 212-208-0900; 24/7 support stands behind every post.
What Shelter Directors Say About Dahlcore
Explore real feedback from supportive housing providers and shelter managers who rely on Dahlcore for dependable, specialized facility security.
“Professional, courteous service which I recommend using for all security needs…Great value and responsive to consumer’s needs…Highly recommend.”
“I was coming out of elise rooftop bar located above qube and a group of men was harassing me and my friends and instead of just staying inside the security guard came out and approached the men harassing us. I never got his name but he was very helpful and respectful and I’m beyond grateful that he was there otherwise i don’t know what would of happened.”
“The security guards with dahlcore are professional and made me and my family feel safe in the large crowd at the lantern festival!”
Protect Your New York Shelter
Contact Dahlcore for a no-cost shelter security assessment or urgent coverage. We walk your site, review your intake schedule and emergency plan, and deliver a written coverage recommendation and post orders. Our team responds promptly — within one business day for standard requests, and 24/7 for emergencies.
Direct Contact
212-208-0900Call or text for shelter coverage
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM · Guard dispatch available 24/7
Office Locations
1110 South Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314
250 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10177