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Private Security Continues On During Severe Weather www.privateofficer.com
Private Security Continues On During Severe Weather http://www.privateofficer.com
Atlanta GA. NOV 7 2008
One such person was Tim Hardgrave, a retired salesman and native of North Dakota who said that the snow doesn’t bother him as long as the state and city plows are clearing the roads he has no second thoughts of getting behind the wheel of his pick-up truck and heading out to cover his shift as a security officer at a local plant.
“We’re kinda like mailmen he said, neither sleet nor snow or however that saying goes”, he breaks off and laughs. The post has to be covered and we gotta get there. They still need security coverage especially when they’re shut down like they are tonight and the place is empty. Nothing might happen but you never know. Something might and that’s what they pay us for he said as he cleaned the snow from his truck and threw his briefcase, Wal-Mart bag containing his lunch and shotgun into the front seat.
A few months earlier and almost two thousand miles away along the Gulf Coast of Mexico, contract, and proprietary security officers prepared for a different type of weather emergency. As weather forecasters made their predictions of Hurricane Gustav’s impending strike along the New Orleans area in like manner as Hurricane Katrina just three years prior, preparations by 
emergency personnel and private security alike quickly got underway.
Security officers also held the line in the French Quarter and at many of the hotels in the downtown area that stayed open and housed emergency workers, the city mayor, and other local officials. This time would be no different as private security officers, not the police or National Guard would be responsible for the protection of private property while law enforcement contended with the public areas of the city and counties.
While tornados, severe thunderstorms that down power lines, trees and straight line winds that damage areas in much the same way as a tornado, and other severe weather conditions close many businesses and keep many workers home, private contract security officers and those working for “in-house” or staff security positions are normally not part of that group. Private Officers are responsible for the security and safety of people and property in and around private businesses and on private property that is not protected or patrolled by area police. It’s the security officer’s job to protect the property from looters, burglars, fire and other safety hazards, and just to maintain an overall presence on that property.
Sometimes it could mean risking life and limb just trying to get to work as Sgt. Hardgrave did as he made his way through blizzard conditions so that his post would not go uncovered and his company would not be in violation of their contractual agreement with their client. While most private security companies have provisions in their agreements to allow for certain unforeseen emergencies or a lapse of coverage due to things beyond their control, acts of nature and so forth, still the client could cancel a contract if they felt that the security company could have provided coverage during the storm but didn’t make the effort.
During Hurricane Ivan which destroyed much of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and other areas along Alabama’s Gulf Coast and the Pensacola Florida areas on September 2 2004, several private security companies either manned their posts and endured the winds and rains or was ready and stood by in the area to be deployed as soon as the Hurricane passed. Security officer Bob Stanley of Pensacola worked twenty six hours straight as he stood post at a distribution center that sustained damage and was without electricity for much of the time. Several other security officers deployed to the area also worked long hours and went through the same hardships of other victims of the hurricane. And as with public safety providers like the police or fire departments, private security officers also contend with having their own homes damaged or destroyed during severe weather while they are protecting someone else’s property.
The security officers that we interviewed for this story, both employed by contract security agencies and those who work directly for a business including a regional hospital, all agreed that they understand the importance of providing the security coverage during disasters and severe weather even if it meant a difficult trip to work for them or the discomforts of their surrounding at the job site that they might have to endure. They even said that they were happy to be out there in the bad weather and playing a role in the safety and protection of others and of property.
Just like the police and fire departments, we have to protect and serve during these times and I think we all do the best job that we can and give as much of ourselves as any other emergency worker during these crises, E.J. Stone, owner of Regional Public Safety, said. We don’t get the credit or acknowledgement as with most situations involving the private security officer, but we definitely do put forth our efforts in these times and make the difference he said.
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PRIVATE OFFICER DIGITAL COMING SOON! www.privateofficer.com
PRIVATE OFFICER DIGITAL COMING SOON! http://www.privateofficer.com
BY: Bryan Hill
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
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PRIVATE OFFICER DIGITAL is coming soon is the headlines of the latest press release from the National Association of Private Officers.
The N.A.P.O., is a private security officer association based in Atlanta Georgia, with members throughout the U.S., and an international arm with members in Canada, China, Australia and Great Britain.
Executive Director Rick McCann said today that this is just another extension of our continued growth and reach into the private security field with products, services and media content that is essential to today’s security officer. It’s our goal to inform, train, and better equip the Private Officer so that they’ll not only be able to do their job better and safer but more in tune with the requirements of what is expected of today’s Private Officer, McCann said.
PRIVATE OFFICER DIGITAL is an on line magazine format which will debut on November 10th 2008 and be available each month Free to anyone who clicks on their site at www.privateofficer.com.
In addition to news articles about the security officer industry, there will be product reviews, a lot of “On-Scene” reporting at an array of events and major incidents involving private security officers as well as “Spotlight” reporting on security companies, personnel and security trends according to McCann.
We also intend on bringing the latest reports on Private Officers injured or who are killed in the line of duty, a listing of the latest award recipients and much more.
The press release also stated that security companies and security officers are invited to submit news articles about an incident they were involved in, action photos of events or incidents involving security or police related items and any announcements of promotions or awards of their personnel.
The association also launched a digital on-line talk radio program earlier this year.
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Husband, wife sue casino over assault by security www.privateofficer.com
Husband, wife sue casino over assault by security http://www.privateofficer.com
Temecula CA. NOV 7 2008
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
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Richard Swan says he and his wife had a close call at Pechanga Casino on Oct. 20, 2008.
“I nearly lost my life,” he said.
After an apparent dispute with another casino patron, the Swans said they were asked to leave.
The dispute was with a patron who said he had walked away from a slot machine and then returned, at which time he claimed that Richard’s wife, Jonne, had taken $44 in machine credits from him.
Jonne Swan said the man followed her through the casino shouting profanities. She said she and her husband were scared and called security. But she said security asked her and her husband to leave. She said she and her husband had taken about 20 steps toward the resort hotel to retrieve their luggage when two security guards tackled her husband.
Richard Swan said he was slammed to the marble floor and handcuffed; his glasses were broken, his watch smashed, his wrist sprained, his knees bruised and his face bloodied.
Swan, 70, now has a half-inch scar on his face. He has a pacemaker and takes medication. After the alleged beating, he said he was taken by ambulance to a Temecula hospital, where he needed at CAT scan for the head injury.
The Swans filed an assault claim against the two guards.
Late this afternoon, Pechanga issued a statement. Spokesperson Amy Minniear of the Pechanga Development Corporation said, “We are aware of the incident. Mr. Swan was being removed from the property when the incident occurred. We have reviewed the situation carefully as it relates to compliance with our policies and procedures. The officer involved is no longer employed by Pechanga. Pechanga deeply regrets that this happened. We hope to resolve the matter with Mr. Swan as soon as possible.”
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Five people indicted in ID theft operation www.privateofficer.com
Five people indicted in ID theft operation http://www.privateofficer.com
Denver CO. Nov 7 2008
Five people have been indicted in an ID theft operation in which they allegedly used bogus credit cards and bought methamphetamines with the cash they got after reselling purchased items, Aurora police announced Wednesday.
The Denver grand jury returned indictments last week against the five charging them with numerous counts, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, theft, forgery, identity theft and conspiracy to commit computer crime, forgery, and theft.
The ring’s alleged leader, Shadwick Weaver, 35, was in custody in the Douglas County Jail when the indictment was handed down, police said. Weaver is facing 56 criminal counts and was being held on $500,000 bail.
Detectives from the police department’s economic crimes unit and a crime analyst began investigating the group in April after the found out that they may have been involved in a variety of white-collar crimes in Aurora and the north Denver metro area, detective Robert Friel, police spokesman, said.
The group members allegedly got hold of victims’ identities by burglarizing homes, breaking into cars and vehicle larceny, the detective said. The ring also possessed equipment that they used to manufacture documents such as counterfeit checks, credit cards, Social Security cards, drivers licenses, photo identities and employee badges. Detectives believe the group possessed about 300 such bogus documents, Friel said.
“We executed a search warrant and we believe we took away their tools that they were using to carry out the scheme,” the detective said.
In some cases, they would buy merchandise using the counterfeit checks or credit cards. The ring’s members would then resell the goods to make profit, which would then be used to buy methamphetamines, Friel said.
Detectives also think that some members would present a “temporary card” to a merchant to make purchases. However, the card would not have the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. Friel said that lack of special security features should let merchants know that the card is fake. Besides, he said, “temporary cards” do not exist.
“It’s a good warning for the business community; do not accept cards that are missing the traditional components of a credit or debit card,” Friel said.
The four others who were indicted and are in custody include James Bierce, 41; Carrie Robinson, 25; and Kelly Head, 35. Detectives continued to search for Levi Fairbanks, 25.
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Police officers arrested in large scale shoplifting bust www.privateofficer.com
Police officers arrested in large scale shoplifting bust http://www.privateofficer.com
Two of those arrested are police officers.
Computer software, razors, and other items of small size but high retail value, including flat screen TVs, were taken.
“Our surveillance indicated this was almost a nightly event in the past several months,”said District Attorney Frank Phillips. “We’ve got two small truckloads of property that was seized as a result of search warrants that we are in the process of inventorying and securing.”
On Tuesday, November 4, investigators from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, members of the Walmart Investigations Team, and police from the towns of New Windsor, Newburgh and Montgomery executed seven search warrants at several locations and recovered large amounts of stolen goods. A large amount of the stolen property had been sold on eBay. eBay officials cooperated in the investigation.
Charged were Bryan Dunn, 36, of Maybrook; Kevin Burchell, 27, of Montgomery; Clifford Barber III, 41, of Walden; and LaQuionus Pressley, 29, of Newburgh.
Burchell is a Village of Tuxedo police officer. Barber is a town of Montgomery police officer.
Dunn was charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, three counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, and three counts of filing a false tax return.
Burchell was charged with two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and two counts of filing a false income tax return.
Barber was charged with grand larceny in the third degree, three counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, and three counts of filing a false income tax return.
Pressley has been charged with grand larceny in the third degree.
The four were not charged with specifically stealing the property. The grand jury will consider those charges later.
Phillips said larcenies from other stories, including Home Depot, Lowes and stores outside the area, may have also been targeted.
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University of Tennessee police under investigation www.privateofficer.com
University of Tennessee police under investigation http://www.privateofficer.com
Chattanooga TN Nov 7 2008
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
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A Chattanooga, TN private investigator held a press conference on Thursday, November 6, 2008 to discuss an investigation being conducted by him regarding police misconduct by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga police officers.
Tennessee Private Investigator Jerry Morris was retained by the parents of a former UTC student who apparently shot himself in an off-duty campus officer’s apartment on August 29, 2008.
According to the investigator, allegations have surfaced regarding university police officers conduct and their involvement off-duty with students are parties and their apartments.
In a statement from the Chattanooga Police Department officers found alcohol in the apartment of Officer Chase Kilgore on Vine Street after the shooting incident took place shortly after 2:30 a.m..
Private Investigator Jerry Morris has stated that University of Tennessee officers have provided alcohol to students in the past and have been witnessed attending college parties with students. Morris alleges that this behavior has been going on for years and he can provide several witnesses to the alleged misconduct.
The results of the investigation could be used in civil and possible criminal.prosecution of some of the campus police officers.
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Home Depot cashiers charged in theft scheme www.privateofficer.com
Home Depot cashiers charged in theft scheme http://www.privateofficer.com
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com – Three cashiers at a local Home Depot were arrested along with a customer for participating in a scam that involved the theft of about $10,000 in merchandise, police said today.
This was the second time in a year that Mount Pleasant police have busted up a sales scam, with help from store security, at the Home Depot at 1 Saw Mill River Road, Police Chief Louis Alagno said.
The cashiers – Laura Richardson, 23, Aneka Tonge, 31, and Evelyn Darkowaa, 25, of the Bronx – were arrested Friday and are due in Village Court Thursday. Richardson and Tonge were charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony, while Darkowaa was charged with petty larceny, a misdemeanor. The customer, Manuel Arevato, 34, of Ossining, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony. He is also due in court Thursday.
Arevato, a self-employed contractor, had a special arrangement with the cashiers to pay for items such as shelving, chainsaws and power tools, in cash at a reduced cost or received them free, the chief said. The arrangment allegedly continued for about a month. Some of the merchandise has been recovered.
Store security tipped off police about the scam. The investigation is continuing.
“We believe other customers were involved but have not yet been identified,” Alagno said.
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Security officers wrestle gun away from man www.privateofficer.com
Security officers wrestle gun away from man http://www.privateofficer.com
Elkhart IN NOV 7 2008
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An Elkhart man was arrested after police said he wrestled with a security officer over a gun at Chicago Bar and Grill, 2425 Cassopolis St., early Sunday morning.
Corey J. Edwards, 31, of 2584 Links Drive, Apt. 2A, was arrested on a preliminary felony charge of criminal recklessness and preliminary misdemeanor charges of public intoxication and carrying a gun without a permit around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Elkhart Sgt. Todd Thayer said in a report.
According to the police report, Edwards had been asked to leave the bar by security for an unknown reason. According to witnesses, he then went to the parking lot and retrieved a semiautomatic handgun from his vehicle and fired shots into the air.
Edwards then re-entered the bar, witnesses reported, and security officers wrestled with him to get the gun.
During the altercation, the gun went off and a bullet hit the ceiling. Police said security was able to take the gun and subdued and detained Edwards until police arrived and arrested him. No one was injured in the incident police said.
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Deputy sheriff pulled from burning patrol car www.privateofficer.com
Deputy sheriff pulled from burning patrol car http://www.privateofficer.com
The incident occurred on Bear Wallow Road around 11 p.m. at the Orange’s Market Citgo. Witnesses said a driver of a truck crashed through several trees and hit a deputy’s car and gas pump.
The officer was knocked unconscious but was pulled safely from the burning car by a store employee
The driver of the truck, a 50-year-old man from Sumner County, was killed in the wreck. The deputy went to the hospital and had to receive 12 stitches.
The names of the people involved in the crash have not been released.
It was unclear what caused the deceased driver to crash into the gas station and deputy’s car.
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Security officer finds victim of shooting www.privateofficer.com
Security officer finds victim of shooting http://www.privateofficer.com
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
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A 27-year old man who was found suffering from a gunshot wound by a private security officer in the 3600 block of East Golf Links Road has died at the hospital.
Police said the victim, identified as Quincy Brown was found by the security guard shortly after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.
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NYPD facing major budget cuts www.privateofficer.com
NYPD facing major budget cuts http://www.privateofficer.com
Canceling a new class of police officers is one of several extreme measures that Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to make to steer the nation’s largest city through an economic slowdown that he says is just beginning.
Bloomberg was set on Wednesday to outline revisions to the city’s $59 billion budget that slash jobs and spending in an attempt to bridge billion-dollar deficits, according to an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not been made.
The sobering news includes the decision to cancel January’s class of more than 1,000 police cadets. The police department will go without those officers, and the next class will begin in July. It is an unusual decision for a mayor – during tough times in the early 1990s, mayors David Dinkins and Rudy Giuliani delayed the start date of academy classes by a few months, but did not cancel them entirely.
The city’s work force will shrink by 3,000 employees: 500 through layoffs and the rest through attrition, according to the official. Among the cuts are 475 jobs in the education department, though no teacher jobs will be slashed.
The updated budget plan will show that the city faces budget gaps of $4 billion this year and next.
To help bridge those deficits, Bloomberg asked all city agencies in September to come up with their own plans to cut spending by 2.5 percent this fiscal year, which ends next June, and additional cuts of 5 percent the following year.
The firefighting training academy will reduce its program from 23 weeks to 18 weeks to save operational costs. The mayor, who drew criticism when he closed firehouses to save money during his first term, also plans to eliminate nighttime engine companies in five firehouses that also have ladder companies. The move allows those firehouses to stay open but with fewer firefighters at night.
The Department of Health will close its dental health clinics that serve some 17,000 poor children each year. Officials said the city would rather not shut down the program, but lacking other options they decided to eliminate a service that many families can access through Medicaid.
Bloomberg has also been hinting for several months that a temporary $1 billion property tax cut he implemented last year may need to go.
By using his budget knife on such key jobs and services, Bloomberg is making some politically risky moves. It sets up a more difficult environment as he prepares to run for re-election next year.
The billionaire independent mayor last month announced that he believes the city needs him to stay on past the end of 2009, when his second term ends, to manage the long-term effects of the financial crisis and economic downturn. In just a matter of weeks, he persuaded the City Council to change the law that limited him and other officeholders to two consecutive terms, and on Monday he signed the bill allowing him to run for mayor again.
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Owner of security company arrested for drug thefts www.privateofficer.com
Owner of security company arrested for drug thefts http://www.privateofficer.com
A man who operates a local security company was arrested Tuesday after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of prescription drugs from a pharmacy two months ago.
Stephen R. Macon, 29, is charged with second-degree burglary and two counts of felony stealing. He remained today at the Boone County Jail with bond set at $150,000.
Macon is accused of breaking into Kilgore’s Medical Pharmacy, 1608 Chapel Hill Road, over the Labor Day weekend and taking 73 types of medications and $25 in cash, according to a probable cause statement by Columbia police Detective Joe Jackson.
Kilgore’s co-owner Ann Bromstedt valued the stolen medications at $25,000 and said they included narcotics like morphine, Oxycontin and Percocet as well as Aderall, a stimulant.
“It’s major,” Bromstedt said of the burglary. “And not to mention the far-reaching implications on the community if these medications were able to get into the hands of children.”
Bromstedt said Macon’s company, Tiger Security, was responsible for security at the pharmacy’s Providence Road store for about a year before the company discovered Macon’s criminal record. The company never was responsible for the Chapel Hill shop’s security, she said.
Macon has felony convictions in Boone County on charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and stealing that date to 1996. His name is listed on Tiger Security ownership filings with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office. Those documents also list William McClaren III and Michael McClaren.
Mike McClaren did not return a phone call seeking comment this morning.
“As far as I know, he was managing the business,” Bromstedt said of Macon.
The burglar gained entry to the pharmacy by prying open a drive-through window, Sgt. Ken Hammond said.
Bromstedt said she suspects Macon used his expertise with security systems to compromise the store’s system, but she declined to elaborate.
“I would say we thought our security was adequate,” she said, adding that the store does not have surveillance cameras.
The business thinks the break-in occurred on the night of Aug. 30, Bromstedt said, and she reported it to police Sept. 2.
The police investigation, aided by a cooperating citizen, led to a search on Oct. 10 of 553 E. Chris Drive, where police seized multiple prescription drugs, according to the probable cause statement. Two residents of the home, Jason M. Kroner, 30, and Katherine A. Casey, 30, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and felony receiving stolen property.
Police searched Macon’s residence on Oct. 15 and found a computer disc and hard drive that belonged to the pharmacy, but Macon was out of town, Hammond said. Officers arrested Macon on Tuesday.
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