Have you been in a Social Security office recently?

[Renew Deal]

I was in one last week. I thought it was weird that all of the attendants were behind bullet proof glass like it's a bank, while an armed federal officer keeps an eye on things. Are SS workers really in danger? Is someone going to rob a Social Security office?

The other thing I noticed was that George Takei was everywhere. He has done several Star Trek themed PSA's for the Social Security Administration. Two of them are below:

SSA PSA's: http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/psa-video.html

[russspeakeasy]

1. It was that way 9 years ago. 5 years ago when my wife applied,

she was able to apply on the internet and phone...
I never did figure out why they needed all that security
at the SS office.

[The Genealogist]

2. I'm guessing all the security is because of "terrorism."

I had to go get a new card a few years back, after mine came up missing. The clerks were behind glass, and there was at least one security guard. I just assumed it was part of the "post 9/11 world."

[Brickbat]

3. I was about four years ago, but there was no glass or divider. It was pretty laid back. But then,

it's a small town.

[RKP5637]

4. I was there about 3 years ago, city of 55,000, no bullet proof glass, but the clerks

really had a shitty attitude and the people in there looked miserable.

[Systematic Chaos]

5. A man was shot and killed here in Vegas a while back over losing a benefits appeal.

He began shooting randomly outside in the downtown area of Vegas. He didn't hurt anyone and was taken down quickly enough.

I imagine they don't want to take any chances on a massacre in one of their offices after a scenario like that. At least, not a massacre of the employees....

[Art_from_Ark]

6. You think that's bad...

The last time I was at the water/sewer office in my home town in Arkansas, I was shocked to find the clerks there were also behind bullet-proof glass.

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. In my teeny timeless town

the Mental Health receptionist is behind glass,
the ER receptionist is behind glass
the water/sewer staff is behind glass
the heating gas office staff are behind glass

all glass except for a small slot where you can slide paper/money

The bank tellers....no glass at all.
Post office clerks...no glass.

It is quite interesting how cold and distant the glass makes the workers appear to be, even tho I know them and they are friendly.
the glass barrier is quite off putting.

[boxman15]

7. I was there a few months ago, and I noticed the Star Trek stuff everywhere,

but there was no bulletproof glass or anything like that. My memory could be fuzzy, of course, since it was a very unremarkable event in my life, but I don't remember seeing anything like that. I was in a small town, though, so that might have something to do with it.

[KT2000]

8. The state office,

the main one in Washington state, where people get their contractor licenses has had to have an armed state patrol person on duty for years. There are a bunch of government haters that do business there and sometimes people get pretty belligerent. If someone starts yelling or something, they stand behind the person on alert and tell them to calm down. It works.
I am glad they are there.

[REP]

9. A few months ago

There was a nice security guard, but no bullet-proof glass. I'm in a very low-crime part of Silicon Valley, though.

[sarge43]

10. Bullet proof glass in the one in Littleton NH

and that was six/seven years ago. Littleton is a small town in the back of beyond.

[peacefreak]

11. That's Patty Duke with George Takei.

Damn, I'm getting old.

[justiceischeap]

12. Totally doesn't look like her... at all. Are you sure? nt.

[peacefreak]

14. Yeppers.

I spent some time at the local SS office a couple of months ago. They played the clip over & over & over.....

[wobblie]

13. social security disability denials

I suspect it is because the last remnants of our social safety net for males under retirement age is SSI. If you look at the statistics of how many people have moved onto SSI since the abolition of most of our safety net back in the early 90's, and you will see a huge expansion. Now of course they want to prune the roles. Having a bureaucrat inform you that despite medical evidence that you are disabled, and you are being denied because you could still work as a Walmart greeter, until you reach retirement age, can create "irrational" violence on the part of some desperate folks.

[MineralMan]

15. Yes, I was in the one in Minneapolis in October.

There was an armed security officer. He was the person greeting everyone and helping them figure out which form they needed and answering questions. You took numbers. When your number was called, the same security guard announced the window to go to. There were 14 windows. No glass...just a helpful person behind a desk, who took care of your business efficiently and with a smile.

I was also in the one in Saint Paul a couple of years ago. Same situation, except that the armed security guard there had a container of lollypops on the reception desk, and handed them out to kids who were there with their parents - after asking permission. No glass there, either. Similar nice people to help you with what you needed.

Maybe it's different in different cities. I don't know.