Longtime Monroeville Mall security manager and director Bruce Morrison retired July 9 after 40 years of service.
The Wilmerding resident got his start as a mall security guard in 1981. Searching for a summer job after leaving college, Morrison applied to work at the mall. He envisioned a short stint in the job.
“I kept telling everyone, ‘Oh, I won’t be here long. I’ll be somewhere else soon,’” he said.
Morrison said he had no idea that an ideal summer gig would turn into a long-term career. He worked himself up to become security director in 1989. He decided to stay because he thought the job was well-suitedfor him.
“After a while, I thought it kind of fit,” he said. “I always like to think, if the jacket doesn’t fit, find somewhere else where it does.”
Working at the mall was far from boring for Morrison, who said he always had to brace for anything to happen. There was a sense of the unknown every day in regard to what he might encounter.
“Every day I came here, I never knew what would happen,” he said.
The impact of his leadership position was noticeable based on how the younger men on the team viewed him as a father figure, Morrison said. He made sure to remind his team of their responsibilities, especially as times have changed with how security guards are seen.
“The respect has changed, so people will give you a harder time, but I make sure to let my guys know we are here to create a harmonious culture,” he said.
Morrison said people often don’t take mall security guards seriously despite how hard the guards work to ensure the mall is safe at all times. He emphasized how much they have to rely on their wisdom and attitude to de-escalate situations because they do not carry weapons.
“We interact with people on a personal level. When I first came here, I asked myself, ‘How am I going to be able to relate to others?’ Now, it just rolls off of me,” Morrison said.
Despite some challenging times, Morrison said he doesn’t regret his early-life decision to stay at the mall. He said he appreciates the people he has encountered and the relationships he has formed over the years,
During his retirement, Morrison looks forward to what lies ahead.
“There was never going to be a perfect time for me to leave, but I am ready to do more with my life,” he said.
