Will the Stimulus Package help private security? www.privateofficer.com

Atlanta GA Feb 17 2009

By: Rick McCann
Executive Director
National Association of Private Officers

After a week or so of wrangling and politicians being politicians, a so called Stimulus Package has been passed in excess of 790 billion dollars. Is this really going to help jumpstart the economy, put people back to work and money in their wallets? Depending on who you talk to, yes and no.
The biggest question that Main Street, people like you and I have asked, is the same question that was asked with the bank bailout a few months ago. How will this help me?Many different business leaders and owners as well as local and state governments are looking at all of the promises being made about how this cash is going to put people to work in new companies and in construction projects and in our country infrastructure as it did back in the days of FDR and the back to work program that he initiated when he was president.

Now, we, as security professionals and owners of protective service businesses have the same questions. How will this help me and my business?At this time, it’s all purely speculation but if it all comes together as President Obama has outlined, it could potentially lead to new security contracts, more employees being hired to staff those new contracts and even the start of many new security companies both physical security and electronic such as alarm and data security businesses.

Looking at the plans the President has, it would seem that more projects including roads and highways, schools and large projects will be built over the next 1-2 years. Of course, depending where you are located geographically will depend on how much of this new business that your company might have a chance to bid for or put under contract.So, depending on how this astronomical amount of money is divvied up, will depend on whether or not it has much, if any effect on the private security industry.

Over the next 3-6 months we will be taking a hard look at what the state department of transportations have on their books, looking at new business licenses being issued in metro communities particularly in the south and west and communicating with private security company owners all across the country to access whether there is any indication that there will be more work for the security industry.Right now, we honestly don’t know what’s going to happen but I suspect that the contract guard industry will see minimal increases in work and if there are increases it will primarily be in construction site security, traffic control such as flaggers on job sites, some vehicle patrol assignments, and possibly some new post contracts, again, primarily in the south and west.

Proprietary security may also see some increases especially if funding is made available to hospitals and colleges for new building projects, expansions, and growth. This could lead to adding additional security personnel to those facilities.I don’t think that we can look for anything to happen as far as new business for quite some time and I’m estimating 6-18 months if there is any upswing in our business at all.

Over the past few months I’ve been made aware of numerous colleges and several major hospitals in the south that have building projects and expansion plans on the board and ready to go so I would look to the south to be one of the first areas that new security positions are created and new security companies open.Let’s keep our fingers crossed, say a little prayer and hope that the President follows through with his original plans, good intentions and that we in the security industry get to share some of this Stimulus Package.

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Security guard tied up as men steal $650,000 of electronics www.privateofficer.com

Security guard tied up as men steal $650,000 of electronics http://www.privateofficer.com

LOS ANGELES CA. Feb 17 2009

By: Rick McCann

Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers

http://www.privateofficer.com/ —Police responded to a business where they say a group armed men broke and held the security officer hostage as they stole merchandise from the business.
The group of armed men raided a Harbor Gateway company and stole three shipping containers in a heist authorities suspect may be the latest in a string of cargo thefts by the same group in the Southland, police said Monday.

At least five men subdued a security guard at a logistics company in the 1500 block of Francisco Street about 8 p.m. Sunday, leaving the guard tied and lying face down on the ground, said Officer Julie Sohn of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Los Angeles police officer Sam Park says two armed men entered the rear gate of the company Sunday evening and abducted the security guard, tying him up and placing him on the ground. Police were called to the scene after the owners found the security guard still tied up. The security officer was treated by medical personnel and released.
Park says three other men then drove tractors into the facility, loaded the containers, and drove out with three containers from the company yard.
The cargo contained about $650,000 worth of TVs and DVD players, said Det. Yvette Moreno of the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division.Moreno said the raid appeared to have been carefully planned, unlike typical cargo thefts, and may be related to about eight similar heists that have occurred in the past six months in different ports around Southern California.
“It’s so orchestrated you know that they’re all communicating with each other,” Moreno said. The LAPD is cooperating with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol to investigate the crimes, she said.The men were driving a light-blue truck with a sleeper cab and two white trucks without sleeper cabs with “GSC” written on the door, Moreno said. Anyone with information was asked to call (877) LAPD-24-7 or the Commercial Crimes Division at (213) 485-2507 .

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Man commits suicide after stealing trooper’s car www.privateofficer.com

Man commits suicide after stealing trooper’s car http://www.privateofficer.com

PARIS, Tenn. Feb 17 2009
wsmv.com — A man accused of stealing a patrol officer’s car after a traffic stop later killed himself, said police.
Police said Josh Kingsbury, 21, stole a Tennessee Highway Patrol car Sunday night during a traffic stop on Highway 69 in Benton County.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. when the man managed to escape from handcuffs and drive away in the officer’s car.
“(The trooper) arrested the suspect for DUI. He handcuffed him to put him in the rear of the patrol vehicle. He went to the suspect’s vehicle to get information out of it. Somehow, the suspect managed to get out of the handcuffs, gain access to the front of the patrol vehicle and drive away,” said THP Lt. Bobby Fuller.
Investigators said the arresting officer, Trooper Daryl Valiz, shot at the car twice, but Kingsbury did not stop.
About an hour later, investigators found the patrol car abandoned. Kingsbury and a spare THP rifle kept in the car were missing, which lead to a massive manhunt.
Fifteen hours later, Kingsbury was found shot to death from an apparent suicide only a half-mile from where he ditched the car.
A family friend of Kingsbury said they are very upset about his death and have no idea why he would have stolen the police car and killed himself.
Kingsbury was attending a vocational school for carpentry and welding, according to his friend.
Investigators were trying to determine how a handcuffed person sitting in the back of a patrol car could escape, since a person can only open the door from the outside. The question remains of whether the patrol car door shut and if the keys were left in the ignition.
“There is a plexiglass protection shelf. It does have a window that slides open, and it would be possible if he could get that open to go through the opening,” said Fuller.
Valiz will remain working while the investigation is underway.

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Command Link Network still owes security officers www.privateofficer.com

Command Link Network still owes security officers http://www.privateofficer.com

VIERA FLA Feb 17 2009 — Almost six months after issues with pay prompted Brevard County to cancel a contract with a private firm that provided security at the county’s three courthouses, the workers say they still have not been compensated for paychecks that bounced.

In September, the county terminated its contract with California-based National Command Link Network, also known as NCLN20 Inc., after 15 to 20 security guards threatened to walk off the job because of repeatedly bouncing paychecks.

The employees staff metal detectors and scan visitors’ belongings for weapons and other prohibited items.
About a dozen of those workers lost their jobs, but they were back at work a month later when the county signed a new contract with Allegiance Security Group, a North Carolina-based private security firm.
The month-to-month contract with Allegiance for five full-time and seven part-time guards is working out well, officials said.
But county facilities manager Teresa Camarata said talks with NCLN20 have not succeeded in getting at least four weeks of pay for the guards who worked under that contract. The commission refused to send a final payment to the company until officials meet with the board.
“I didn’t cash those other checks out of fear, but when that final check came, I needed money,” former NCLN20 employee Carol Derk said.
She said the banks and stores where she and several of her former co-workers attempted to cash checks are threatening to take them to court or have referred them to collections agencies.
Their W-2s also include income from the bounced checks, meaning the workers must pay taxes on money they never received, she said.
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The dispute left the county with a $41,885 bill for four weeks of lobby security services provided by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office between contracts, officials said.
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Sheriff Jack Parker said he recently submitted a recommendation to commissioners proposing that the county shift responsibility for lobby security to his office permanently, or at least have deputies — who already provide security in courtrooms — play some sort of role.
“In an ideal world, we’d like to see the sheriff deputies be the screeners,” Parker said. “But the less costly option is to keep the private screeners, but at least have deputies at the entry points for security purposes to stop any escape attempts and armed intrusion at any of the courthouses.”

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Security Officer Awards Announced www.privateofficer.com

Security Officer Awards Announced http://www.privateofficer.com

February 13 2009

Recently, the National Association of Private Officers announced the latest award recipients as follows:

JOHN RUIZ-LOSS PREVENTION AGENT
MIAMI FLA.

PURPLE HEART

Security officer Ruiz attempted to apprehend a shoplifter at a CVS store in Miami Florida and was shot and killed in the line of duty. The award has been issued to his family in his honor.

LT. JOHN STURP
BROOKLYN NY

PURPLE HEART
OFFICER OF THE YEAR-NORTH REGION

While on duty at an apartment complex, LT. Sturp recognized a person who had been issued a trespass warning and was illegally on the property. He was also aware that he the suspect was wanted by NYPD on felony charges. Sturp called 911 but while detaining the suspect was stabbed multiple times but managed to subdue the suspect and take him into custody at gunpoint, handcuffing him until help arrived.

MATTHEW PRINDLE
DALLAS TX.

PURPLE HEART
OFFICER OF THE YEAR-SOUTH REGION

On December 8 2008 while on duty at a bank in Dallas, an armed man entered and attempted to commit a robbery. Officer Prindle pulled his weapon and was involved in a firefight with the suspect and mortally wounded him. Prindle also received a non-life threatening gunshot wound and returned to work about a month later. His actions saved employees, customers and his own life that day.

THOMAS CONNORS
ISLIP NY

MEDAL OF VALOR

While on duty at the St. Charles Hospital, officer Connor and officer Surbito responded to a fire on the complex and rescued a nun from the burning building. Their quick actions and lack of concern for their own personal safety made the difference that day.

ERIC SURBITO
ISLAP NY

MEDAL OF VALOR

While on duty at the St. Charles Hospital, officer Surbito and officer Connors responded to a fire on the complex and rescued a nun from the burning building. Their quick actions and lack of concern for their own personal safety made the difference that day.

VIC RIOUX
TRAVERSE CITY MI

86TH DISTRICT COURT

MEDAL OF VALOR

While working as a court security officer, officer Rioux confronted an armed man and wrestled a knife away from him preventing injury or harm to other persons.

DAN BOYLAN Public Safety Officer
ST JOHN UNIVERSITY
QUEENS NY

MEDAL OF VALOR

While on duty at the campus, Officer Boylan and a student noticed a man carrying a rifle and chased the suspect and subdued him until police could arrive. Officer Boylan prevented chaos and tragedy on that day with his quick thinking and disregard for his own personal safety. Boylan is also a retired police officer.

GARRY FULLER
DES MOINES IA

MERITORIOUS AWARD

While on duty for the Des Moines Public School district, officer Fuller spotted a man that he had earlier been informed was wanted for bank robbery. He immediately had the school locked down as he notified police and directed them to the wanted man’s location. The suspect was quickly apprehended by police and is awaiting trial. His observation and speedy and professional response enabled police to take a violent and dangerous fugitive off the streets.

LYDIA STEARNS
HARTFORD CT.

MERITORIOUS AWARD

Assisted police locating a robbery suspect and keeping the suspect under surveillance until officers could arrive and take him into custody.

KEN WHEELER- SECURITY DIRECTOR
NORTH MISSISSIPPIE MEDICAL CENTER
Tupelo, MS

EXCELLENCE IN ACTION AWARD

Mr. Wheeler is an excellent example of a security professional and has been recognized by his community and employer. As a security director, he has provided leadership for many years at the hospital where he works and is involved in numerous programs within the Tupelo area.

JON WALSON
Florence Kentucky

EXCELLENCE IN ACTION AWARD
OFFICER OF THE YEAR MID-WEST REGION

Jon continues to exemplify a professional security officer and has been recognized as the Officer of the Year by his employer as well as receiving awards from the National Association of Private Officers.

JOHN SLAUGHTER-CAPTAIN
ECM HOSPITAL FLORENCE AL

EXCELLENCE IN ACTION AWARD

As a supervisor of security, John has worked hard to bring leadership and professionalism to his staff at a North Alabama hospital and he was recently recognized by his peers for his accomplishments in these areas.

DAVE FOWLER
KENTRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

EXCELLENCE IN ACTION AWARD

Mr. Fowler is a security-safety officer at a Washington State High School and recently was selected as the Officer of the Year by his school district for his daily professional attitude and response to situations that occur on campus.

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Sharp eyed security officer helps nab robbery suspect www.privateofficer.com

Sharp eyed security officer helps nab robbery suspect http://www.privateofficer.com

Atlantic City NJ Feb 17 2009
An illegal immigrant allegedly beat and robbed an elderly North Jersey couple at an Atlantic City casino, but was caught some 12 hours later thanks to a sharp-eyed security officer, police in the resort said Monday.
Police took 34-year-old Tony Singh into Atlantic City Police Headquarters Monday morning. Investigators said he violently attacked a 79-year-old man and his 80-year-old wife at Caesars then robbed them of $2,200 in casino winnings.
Police said Singh followed the Belleville, Essex County couple into an elevator around 10:30 Sunday night. When they got out on the 33rd floor, Singh grabbed the woman’s pocketbook, punched her in the face and knocked her to the ground, police said.
“Her husband then came to his wife’s aid,” explained Atlantic City Police Capt. William McMenamin.
“At this point, he grabs the elderly male, the husband, and throws him against the side of the elevator and out onto the floor. The [wife] then tries to get up and come to her husband’s aid and then he viciously kicks the female into the groin area, knocking her to the ground,” said McMenamin, who described the attack as a “horrible, heinous crime.”
The suspect got back into the elevator and escaped, police said. The couple was treated for minor injuries at the scene and refused to go to the hospital.
After the robbery, police distributed a surveillance photo of the suspect to all of Atlantic City’s casinos. At 10 a.m. Monday, police said an alert security officer at Resorts, Mohammed Rahman, spotted Singh on the casino floor.
Detectives said Rahman, a four-year employee of Resorts, kept the suspect in view and radioed his location to hotel security. Resorts security detained Singh — an illegal immigrant with an expired work visa who most recently lived in Brooklyn, NY — until police arrived, investigators said.
Police had words of praise for Rahman.
“I think he’s very vigilant, I think he did a great job,” McMenamin said.
“I think for security officer Rahman to be that alert, shows the hard work and perseverance they put into it. Full congratulations should go out to him… When he stops an individual like this, he certainly for the most part, on most occasions [is] saving it from reoccurring in the future.
As the economy worsens, criminals in Atlantic City are increasingly targeting the elderly, sources told NBC 10.
Sunday’s attack comes after a 70-year-old Cumberland County man was beaten and robbed in the Trump Taj Mahal parking garage in January. His attacker, who was still on the loose Monday, also followed him into an elevator.
“In the society we live in, we have to take precautions and ask for an escort,” McMenamin said.
Police charged Singh with armed robbery and two counts of aggravated assault. He also was charged with weapons offenses.
Singh was locked up in the Atlantic County jail Monday evening, with his bail set at $150,000 cash.

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Patient jumps to her death at hospital www.privateofficer.com

Patient jumps to her death at hospital http://www.privateofficer.com

EVANSVILLE, Ind.Feb 17 2009

By: Brett Davis

Staff Reporter

http://www.privateofficer.com/ – Authorities say a terminally ill patient apparently jumped to her death from a sixth-story window at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville.

Hospital security officers were called to the scene after an employee stated a patient had fallen or jumped out a window.

Hospital officials said Monday they are reviewing the facility and procedures to find out how the patient got through the 9 inch-by-18 inch opening and fell 28 feet onto a roof.

Police say hospital security called to report the patient had jumped about 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Vanderburgh County Coroner Annie Groves says the 44-year-old woman was a terminal cancer patient and that she died in the hospital’s intensive care unit soon after the fall.

St. Mary’s officials say nursing staff had attended to the patient minutes before the fall and that staff members saw the incident.

Groves stated that it does appear to be a suicide and the investigation is closed.

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Elderly crossing guard dies after hit by car www.privateofficer.com

Elderly crossing guard dies after hit by car http://www.privateofficer.com

EDEN NC Feb 17 2009 – An elderly school crossing guard has died after being hit by a sport utility vehicle in front of an elementary school.
Eden police said that Bennie Thomas Eanes, 85, died at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center yesterday afternoon from injuries he suffered from being hit in the morning.
Police charged James Anthony Stallings, 40, with one count of careless and reckless driving and one count of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Stallings’ bond was set at $10,000, and he is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on April 16.
A jail supervisor in Rockingham County declined to comment on whether Stallings was still being held there last night.
Authorities said that Stallings was making a left turn out of the school parking lot when he hit Eanes, who was standing in the middle of the road directing traffic.

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