CALSAGA

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 31, 2007

Security Guard Killed in Shooting at Local Shriner's Club - WVUA-TV, Tuscaloosa, AL

Authorities say security guards asked a group of teenagers to leave, and once the boys were outside, they pulled out handguns and opened fire on security. The guards fired back. That is when a twenty-two-year-old security guard was fatally injured and another guard was hurt.

Former security guard pleads guilty to manslaughter - San Francisco Chronicle

A San Lorenzo man who worked as a security guard has been convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting a man during an argument over a double-parked car, an Alameda County prosecutor said today.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 30, 2007

Wackenhut a challenge to security guard union drive - Los Angeles Times

Wackenhut Services Inc., (CALSAGA Member Company) one of the nation's busiest private security providers, is fighting City Hall in Los Angeles and on Capitol Hill to hang onto contracts worth billions of dollars. But one of its toughest foes may be the labor organizers behind the Justice for Janitors strike in L.A. seven years ago.

The Service Employees International Union has Wackenhut in its sights as it organizes security guards across the country. The company, based in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., is the largest contractor working here that has refused to recognize the union.

Editor's Note:  Tell us what you think about this article, we're interested in your thoughts.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 28-29, 2007

Tampa Police Arrest Security Officer for Impersonating a Police Officer - Reported in the Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times, and Fox-TV Channel 13

Tampa Police arrest a private security officer for impersonating a police officer after he was found with a flashing dashboard light, a police-like uniform, a badge, a nightstick, a gun belt, handcuff keys, four Taser guns, a 16-ounce can of pepper spray, blank official Tampa Police trespass warnings, a Neighborhood Watch book, a loaded .410-caliber shotgun and three pellet guns, police said.  The man was also prohibited from weapons-possession due to a domestic violence cort order

Dock may see more security - The Auburn (NY) Citizen

The village of Skaneateles is asking the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce to analyze the security measures taken at the chamber-owned dock.  Among other recommendations, the Chamber has been asked to hire private security patrols.

CCC looks into hiring private security to curb panhandling - Memphis Commercial Appeal

Paul Morris, chair of the Center City Commission board, created a new public safety subcommittee, which he will ask to explore the feasibility of hiring a private security force to augment the police presence Downtown and combat panhandling.

Doctors hold out hope for beaten guard from Hemet - Riverside Press-Enterprise

A security guard who sustained severe brain injuries in a fight with another man at a Florida Avenue RV park continues to recover at a rehabilitation center, as prosecutors decide whether to file criminal charges in the case, police said.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 27, 2007

Security Guard Returns Fire, Killing Armed Man - KCBS-TV (Los Angeles)

A security guard shot and killed a man in his 40s who fired at him first, authorities said Thursday.  The shooting occurred at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday near Avalon Boulevard and 104th Street, near South San Pedro Street, a Los Angeles Police Department sergeant said.

Search By Private Security Guard Not Illegal - New York Legal Update

Both the Fourth Amendment and the New York State Constitution prevents the police from conducting warrantless searches. What about searches performed by private security guards? It depends on whether the private security guard was somehow acting as an agent of the police. Today's decision in People v Ruppert, 2007 NY Slip Op 06182 illustrates.

Security Guards Maced In Armored Car Robbery - KTVI-TV (St. Louis)

Two men are in custody after allegedly attacking two security guards outside the Olin Community Credit Union in Alton.

Security guard denies assaulting Muslim doctor - AP News (Baltimore)

A University of Maryland Medical Center security guard Thursday denied assaulting a Muslim doctor who was washing his feet in the hospital’s bathroom sink.

Still no budget as partisan politicking heats up

As expected, the June 30 deadline for the California Legislature to pass a budget came and went.  Nearly a month with still no resolve, the budget impasse is starting to have an effect on state employees (who haven't been paid in weeks) and has put transporation projects in Southern California on hold until a spending plan can be agreed on.

The Assembly passed the budget on July 20 and promptly left town for their summer recess.  Many Senate legislators were furious that the Assembly did this, mainly because it put all the responsibility on the Senate to pass a budget and get it to Governor Schwarzenegger to sign. 

The most recent development is that the Senate Republicans have proposed an additional $842 million in cuts, which has come under heavy criticsm from Senate Democrats.  Senator Sheila Kuehl (D - Santa Monica) said, "it's egregious when 15 white men with money hold up the budget for 37 million people."  Republicans claim the cuts (primarily in the State's welfare-to-work program) are necessary to put forth a more fiscal responsible budget.  The Senate was scheduled for a floor session again today, as the pressure to pass a budget continues to build by the minute.  Remember, it takes a 2/3 majority to pass the budget out of either the Assembly or Senate.

We'd love to hear your thoughts.  Click on the comments button below this story and tell us what you think!

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 26, 2007

Man pleads not guilty in killing of Kmart security guard - San Diego Union Tribune

A San Diego man accused of fatally shooting a Navy sailor while shoplifting at a Ramona Kmart pleaded not guilty to numerous felony charges, including murder, that could lead to the death penalty.

‘He was going to shoot me,’ guard says - East Valley Tribune (Mesa, AZ)

A hospital security officer describes his run in with a deranged former police officer who came to the hospital with a shotgun, looking for trouble.

Proposal to replace guards with cameras draws protest - South End News (Boston)

More than 100 senior citizens, organized by the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, attended a July 24 hearing at City Hall to protest the removal of daytime security by the Boston Housing Authority from 16 housing developments for seniors. The housing currently has security personnel on duty 24 hours a day.  The plan, which affects more than 13,000 residents, seeks to replace security guards working the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shifts, Monday through Friday, with security cameras.

Texas AG strong-arms guards' union over border workers' contracts - Legal Newsline

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott yesterday filed suits in two cities against the union covering security guards and companies supplying immigration and customs workers.

In both suits Abbott charged the International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) with entering into "unlawful collective bargaining agreements" with suppliers. They required workers to join the SPFPA as an employment condition.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 25, 2007

In the Line of Duty: Authorities identify security guard fatally shot in Ramona  - North County (San Diego) Times

Following up on the recent story about the K-Mart security officer killed in the line of duty, the Navy identified the off-duty sailor and victim yesterday.

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Armed security guards serve valuable role - Burbank Leader

A Burbank resident and student at Pasadena City College argues that the school should have armed security officers to prevent a Virginia Tech-like tragedy.

Armed guards hired to patrol Dunbar Village - Palm Beach Post

Armed security guards were hired to patrol Dunbar Village to provide more protection for residents.  The decision to add security guards came after a 35-year-old resident was gang raped, beaten and robbed in her apartment and forced to have sex with her 12-year-old son.

Call to deduct private security expenditure from tax - Johannesburg (South Africa) Citizen

In an interesting debate taking place in South Africa, the discussion is over whether private citizens who pay for private security should be able to deduct the expense.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 24, 2007

Guards subdue hospital gunman - Arizona Republic

Security guards subdued a 54-year-old man with a shotgun who fired two rounds Monday at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn.  It was the second time in two months that the same guards had to restrain Gilbert Frederick Tuffli III, a former hospital patient.



Two charged with grand theft at Kohl's - Fort Myers (FL) News Press

Two people were arrested in Cape Coral on Sunday after they allegedly tried to steal nearly $2,000 in clothing, and one allegedly ran over the foot of a loss prevention officer while trying to make an escape.

Loss Prevention Firm Nabs Security Guard For Theft At Mid Atlantic Vending Company - Ft. Wilkinson (WI) Online

Loss Prevention Results Inc. (LPR), a Wake Forest, N.C.-based security and investigation firm serving the vending and foodservice industries, recently discovered that a former technician who was employed as a security guard was stealing money from a vending/foodservice firm in the Mid Atlantic region.

In the Line of Duty: Note from San Diego Article

In Sunday's and this morning's Daily News clips, you will see stories of a San Diego KMart security officer (and active duty Navy sailor) who was killed in the line of duty this weekend.  However, we noticed this passage in the article:

While not typically considered as dangerous as police work, security jobs can be treacherous. Newspaper archives show at least 11 security guards have been killed while on duty in San Diego County since 1986. They were guarding casinos, apartment buildings, hotels and bars.

If this is accurate, and even if it reflects all of the security officer deaths in San Diego (assuming none were not reported by the papers), it reflects a security officer killed in the line of duty once a year in San Diego.  And since San Diego represents roughly 10% of California's population, that would mean roughly ten security officers killed in California in an average year.

While there are obviously some assumptions built into this calculation, it shows that security officers face an increasingly difficult and dangerous world. 

CALSAGA has held some early internal discussions on how to protect our officers with legislation to address those who assault, attack, injure or kill a security officer.  As these discussions progress, we will keep you informed.  But if you have any thoughts on the topic, please post them here.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 23, 2007

Unfortunately, today's daily news clips are all about security officers being killed or wounded in the line of duty.  Read on, and more to come on this topic:

Security guard slain outside of store was a sailor, Navy says - San Diego Union-Tribune

The security guard killed while trying to stop a shoplifting suspect at Kmart in Ramona was also an active-duty sailor, the Navy confirmed yesterday.  “He was an outstanding sailor and we just feel very shocked and grieved by this tragic loss,” said Capt. Matt Brown, a spokesman for Navy Region Southwest.

Vigil held for armored car driver slain in Newark - New Jersey Star-Ledger

With his killers still on the loose, friends and family gathered in Boonton tonight to remember Nestor De La Rosa, 47, an armored car driver and night security guard shot Friday while making a delivery in Newark.

Security guard shot in Fort Pierce; 19-year-old sought - Ft. Pierce (FL) Tribune

A 19-year-old man was being sought Sunday in connection with the shooting of a security guard outside a club on Delaware Avenue late Saturday.  The security guard, Maurice Burks, 26, was listed in critical condition Sunday at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne.

In the Line of Duty: KMart Security Officer Shot, Killed by Shoplifter

Security guard killed at Ramona Kmart - San Diego Union Tribune

A security guard at a Ramona Kmart was shot dead while chasing a shoplifter into the parking lot today, authorities said.

The guard apparently confronted a shoplifter about 3 p.m., and a struggle ensued, said Sheriff's homicide Lt. Dennis Brugos.

The shoplifter pulled out a gun and shot the security guard in front of the Kmart's garden shop, Brugos said. He said customers took the gunman into custody and called authorities. The security guard was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ramona resident Aaron Abrahamsen, 13, witnessed the commotion. "I was just walking into the garden shop, looking for a friend, and I heard four loud shots that I thought were firecrackers," Abrahamsen said.

"They seemed to be near the front of the shop. Tons of employees came running in," shouting that someone had been shot, he said. A few minutes later, Abrahamsen said he walked outside and saw paramedics trying to revive a white man.

Deputies cordoned off the parking lot area at the store, including the Los Rancheros restaurant, on Main Street near Pala Street for more than three hours.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 21-22, 2007

Man arrested with police equipment - Richmond (KY) Register

A man is arrested with a private security uniform and a fake police badge, a car modified to look like a police car, several other police officer equipment items, and hydrocodone and oxycodone tablets which could be used to subdue a potential victim.

This security guard takes his job seriously - Northwest Florida Daily News

A Belk's Department store loss prevention officer was injured after he was thrown from a vehicle of alleged shoplifters who sped away when he attempted to stop them from leaving.  He suffered abrasions over much of his body.

Police look for shoplifter - Mobile (AL) Press-Register

Police were searching Saturday for a man who cut a security officer's neck after trying to shoplift $1,459.53 in merchandise from Super Target on Schillinger Road, said Mobile Police Department spokesman Officer John Young.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 20, 2007

Copper thieves target old Navy base - San Jose Mercury News

The Alameda City Council approved a contract with Universal Protection Services (Note: CALSAGA Member) to patrol the former Naval base in Alameda, which had become a magnet for criminals seeking to steal, among other things, scrap copper.

Former security guard says he was harassed for being Muslim, then fired - South Florida Sun-Sentinel

A former security guard claims he was harassed by a co-worker because of his religion, and then fired for complaining about it.  Refat Amar, 31, a Muslim, said he was hassled because of his faith and origin. He came to America from Egypt in 1998.

Officials 'won't rest' until complex is safe - Sayreville (NJ) Suburban

A neighborhood troubled by crime is beefing up security and police patrols.  Before, the security patrol had been in an unmarked car, providing no visual deterrence.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 19, 2007

Six graduate from training program - Los Angeles Daily News

With proud family members looking on, two men and two women received their diplomas Wednesday after graduating from a 40-hour welfare-to-work training program to become security guards.

The graduates underwent all-day firearms training in the desert in California City and learned how to use batons and tear gas.

"They've entered a field that takes professionalism, dedication, drive and perseverance," said Alan Ricker, president of Rosamond-based Nation Security Services, which provided the training. "It's not just a job, it's a career. You can go from being a guard, move up to being a sergeant or a lieutenant to wearing a suit like I do and run a company."

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 18, 2007

Guard Problems Spur New Effort In Protection of Federal Buildings - Washington Post, WUSA-TV, Government Executive

Homeland Security officials unveiled new steps yesterday to ensure that federal buildings are not left unprotected, after two cases in which contract security guards stayed away from their jobs because they had not been paid.

Airport security pact hit - Chicago Sun-Times, ABC7-TV, NBC5-TV

Guards earning $7.50 an hour for Universal Security Corp., a Chicago firm with limited aviation experience, have been patrolling O'Hare and Midway airports since June 1, replacing costlier unionized guards who protected the airports for the last eight years.  But the Universal Security guards might not be around much longer, thanks to a steamed City Council and a traveling public wary of getting their airport security on the cheap.

Sheriff is sued over concert security - Chicago Tribune

The owner of a small airport in Galt, Illinois, planned to hold a concert at the facility.  He is filing a lawsuit against the McHenry County Sheriff, alleging the Sheriff forced him to hire off-duty deputies for security at twice the rate a private security firm would have charged.  The Sheriff denies the claims

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 17, 2007

Contract security guard program to see changes - Government Executive Magazine

A House lawmaker and the head of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau on Tuesday will jointly announce changes to the handling of contract guards that oversee federal facilities.

Man brandishing gun killed at Colo. Capitol - Associated Press (via Boston Herald)

A security officer kills a man at the Colorado state capitol building after the man brandished a gun outside of the Governor's office and refused orders to put his weapon down.

California woman pleads guilty to using fraudulent credit cards at Kansas City area stores - Kansas City Star

A California woman traveled to Kansas City to go on a shopping spree with stolen AMEX credit cards, but a Target security officer spotted the transactions and alerted the authorities.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 16, 2007

City making money on police officers' side jobs - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A new city policy of adding a 10% surcharge on the top of the fee paid for using off-duty police for security has made lots of people unhappy, but it is bringing in a lot of money to the city.

Voyeurism case tests privacy - Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune

A Wal-Mart security officer catches a man taking voyeuristic photos of a female shopper, but ambiguous laws may make it difficult to convict the man.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 15, 2007

Man, posing as security guard, seeks entry into houses - Mohave Daily News

In light of two recent incidents, Double Tree Security advises its customers that its employees do not visit homes unannounced, and always wear company shirts and drive company vehicles.

In gated communities, security takes new role - Palm Beach Post

On his way to give a speech to the Toastmasters at Woodfield Country Club one recent evening, Seth Hochman noticed flashing lights in his rearview mirror.  These were not the blue-and-red flashing lights of a police squad car. They were the orange lights of a private security guard's car.  Confused, Hochman hesitated, then pulled over.  The security guard wrote him a $100 speeding ticket.

Cited firm gets big security contract - New Orleans Times-Picayune

A Hammond security company that admitted to several "serious" state violations, including hiring an underage officer, has been awarded a large federal contract to provide private security officers at FEMA trailer parks in metro New Orleans.  Inner Parish Security Corp., which could earn more than $323 million, received the contract from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on June 19.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 14, 2007

$18 million settlement reached over security guards at Army bases - Multiple Stories, this link to AP story

New Mexico-based AKAL Security, which had been hired to provide security at eight U.S. Army bases, has agreed to pay $18 million as part of an allegation that the firm failed to provide proper training and equipment to their security officers at those bases.  AKAL denies the allegations but chose to settle the case.

Security guard bit in shoplifting incident - Manchester (CT) Journal-Inquirer

A female security officer at a Big Y supermarket was bit by a shoplifting suspect before the officer was able to restrain the alleged shoplifter until police arrived.

Guard at Somers youth home charged in child porn case - Lower Hudson Journal News

A security officer at a home for troubled youth in Yorktown was arrested after police searched his home and found child pornography and transcripts of chat rooms where the officer had talked about abusing boys.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 12-13, 2007

Sorry for no news clips yesterday...was traveling.  Here are two days worth of clips for your reading pleasue:

Security Guards Shot While On-Duty Honored - KESQ-TV, Palm Springs

It's been two months since two security guards with Bower Security were shot-at while on-duty in Cathedral City.  Now, those two men are being honored for their heroism on that tense night.

Editorial: Overpaid guards show how seriously county takes your tax dollars - Chicago Sun-Times

In a somewhat shocking and strange editorial, the Sun-Times argues that security officers on a public safety job in Chicago are overpaid.

Detroit school security guard finances scholarships - Detroit News

Wow, what a great representative of our profession.  School security officer Gloria Payne doesn't make a lot of money, but still provides scholarships to students at the high school she patrols can go to college.

Bettis found guilty of robbing bank, shooting guard - Mobile Press-Register

A federal jury in Mobile took less than two hours Tuesday to find Leanthony Lee Bettis guilty of robbing a Prichard bank and shooting a security guard in April.

CAMC reviews background checks - Charleston Gazette

Charleston Area Medical Center is reviewing its hiring practices after a security guard with a criminal past was arrested earlier this week — the second time a CAMC employee has been charged with a crime while on the job in the past two years.

BSIS releases new Pocketbook Guide

The Bureau of Security & Investigative Services (BSIS) recently released its first-ever Pocketbook Guide, in an effort to assist peace officers and the public in identifying/verifying licenses and permits issued by BSIS.

License and registration types included in the guide, include security officer, proprietary private security officer, firearm and private investigator to name a few.

The BSIS Pocketbook has been in the works for several months and CALSAGA applauds the Bureau for creating a handy, useful guide that will only help further educate those who need to know most.

To download a copy of the Pocketbook, click here.  CALSAGA will be requesting hard copies from the Bureau and will make them available to members on request.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 11, 2007

Private Security Guards No Shows At Federal Buildings - WUSA-TV, Washington, DC

9NEWS NOW learned that scores of private security guards with guns and security clearances refused to work Tuesday because they did not get their pay checks Monday.  The guards are employed by Jenkins Security firm which has been in business and supplying protection of local government buildings since 1994.

Security Claims It Burned Confiscated Drugs, Weapons - The Southern (Southern Illinois)

A private security firm says that its officers working security at a night club destroyed any confiscated drugs and weapons they seized from attendees rather than turning them over to police.

Police say private security guards pepper sprayed homeless man - WBTW-TV, Charleston, SC

Myrtle Beach police say three hotel security guards tried to detain a man Monday who was not on hotel property... and when the man got physical with them... one of the guards pepper sprayed him.

Concerns criminal gangs infiltrating security firms - Australian Broadcasting Company

The body representing private security firms says it is worried that organised crime has infiltrated the industry.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 10, 2007

Call Kurtis: Missing Gun Permit - CBS-TV, Sacramento

A security officer calls CBS13's consumer reporter after BSIS loses his FQ license, and "Call Kurtis" helps him find the missing card.

Police Find Truck Stolen In Carjacking, Arrest 3 - NBC 5-TV, Dallas, TX

A tip from an observant security officer helps police find a carjacked truck and arrest three perpetrators.  The officer followed the suspicious truck and guided police to the location.

Guard, tellers testify about violent bank robbery - Mobile (AL) Register

A bank security guard and a pair of tellers in federal court Monday dramatically described the burst of gunfire that transformed what began as a mundane Thursday morning in April into several minutes of terror.

Guard takes cops to court - Asbury Park (NJ) Press

A security officer who aspired to be a police offcer ends up taking the cops to court after they falsely arrest him, destroy his equipment.

Mets security guards allegedly beat fans - UPI and New York Daily News

A pair of brothers are engaged in a two year long legal fight with the New York Mets over allegations that Mets' security guards beat them at a game in 2006.

I stopped a shoplifter but security guard told me: Sorry, can't help, it's not my job - London Daily Mail

When Robert Franks noticed two teenagers stealing from a shop, his instinct was to stop them.  Mr Franks grabbed hold of one boy, while his wife Julia called the security guard, thinking he would take over.

But they thought wrong. Instead of detaining the culprits, the guard told Mr Franks, 28, to let go of the youngster.  It wasn't in his job description to apprehend shoplifters, he said.

Summer issue of Observed & Reported now available

The summer issue of Observed & Reported is now available to download on our website at www.calsaga.org or you access the pdf (5.8 MB) by clicking here .  A printed copy will be mailed to all members the week of July 16-20.

We hope you enjoy the new look to the magazine and as always, welcome any feedback or suggestions you have.  The fall issue of Observed & Reported will be distributed in late September and will spotlight the 2007 CALSAGA Annual Conference.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 7-9, 2007

Two convicted in dragging death - Miami Herld

Three years after the dragging death of an elderly security guard, the wait for justice is over for the victim's family.

Non-Compete Bill Found Itself Anchored Down - Hartford (CT) Business Journal

Legislation in Connecticut attempts to address non-compete clauses for security officers after ESPN changes security providers at its broadcast headquarters in Bristol.  ESPN had moved from Guardsmark to Securitas, and Guardsmark had prohibited Securitas for hiring the former Guardsmark officers, citing a non-compete clause.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 6, 2007

Higher pay for private guards debated - AP news at Examiner.com

The Washington DC City Council debates a minimum wage for security officers ordinance.  Supporters say it will help professionalize an important industry, while opponents say building will just stop hiring security and turn to "lobby attendants."

Private security plan for D.W. Field park put on hold - South of Boston Enterprise

Opposition from the police officers' union has caused the Boston Police Chief to temporarily put on hold a plan to use private security rather than off-duty police to patrol D.W. Field Park.

Man Says Security Took Daughter Off Shoulders, Roughed Him Up - WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA

A man has filed suit against the security company at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, claiming the security officers at the concert tore his daughter off his shoulders and assaulted him.

Sandusky [police] officer arrested - Sandusky (OH) Register

A Sandusky, Ohio police officer was arrested after he refused to abide by a private security officer's request not to enter a bar.  The security officer alleges the police officer appeared drunk and was using his police badge to try to get his son into the bar without a valid ID.

SB 666 Passes Key Committee Hearing After Compromise with Opposition

CALSAGA's sponsored legislation, SB 666 (authored by Senator Abel Maldonado), passed the Assembly Business & Professions Committee on a unanimous vote Tuesday after CALSAGA reached a compromise with opponents of the legislation, led by AEG, the owner/operators of Staples Center and Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.

SB 666 attempts to increase public safety, increase professionalism in the private security field, and level the playing field between contract and in-house security by requiring state regulation of minimum standards security training between contract and proprietary.

Staples Center, Target, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the California Restaurant Association all opposed SB 666.  They claimed that we were only sponsoring SB 666 to force them to contact out for their security.  We argued that there was no reason that training for contract officers should be regulated by the state, while in-house security is unregulated. 

For most the last two weeks, CALSAGA President Mark Miller, lobbyist Kelly Jensen, and Association Manager Jeff Flint met with legislators, policy committee staff, and representatives from both supporters and opposition of the bill.

As of Monday, July 2, the opponents of SB 666 were confident they had killed our bill, and they asked CALSAGA to just drop the legislation altogether.  Their position remained that there should be no state scrutiny of their security training at all.

However, the CALSAGA team kept working, and votes started moving our way on the committee.  By the morning of the hearing on Tuesday, the committee was split, with neither side sure of victory. 

At that point, we sat down with lobbyists from Staples and Target, and worked out a compromise.  SB 666 originally required the exact same 40 hour course that contract security officers take.  Instead, we agreed to amend SB 666 to delegate to BSIS to develop training standards for in-house security appropriate to the nature of their work and industry.  BSIS will have the power to set minimum numbers of hours and mandatory or elective course topics.

We believe this is a victory for public safety because in-house security operators began with a position that there should be no regulation at all, and they ended up agreeing that BSIS should be able to regulate them.

We believe SB 666 will help increase standards in our profession, improve public safety, and help both sides of the security industry.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 5, 2007

Security guard says he faked his own shooting - WBAY-TV, Milwaukee, WI

Follow up from June 27 news story: A security guard who had said he was shot but saved by his body armor faked the shooting.

Security Guard In Custody In Boat Theft Case - KMBC-TV, Kansas City

A security guard and three others were taken into custody in connection with thefts at a Longview Lake boathouse, deputies said.

Upstate Hospital Security Guard Charged With Assault - News 7-TV, South Carolina

A man hired to protect visitors at an Upstate hospital is now charged with assaulting one of those guests.

Editor's Note: Obviously, three stories today deal with "bad apples" in our industry.  We post these stories, along of course with the good news, because when anyone in the industry performs in a poor manner, it has the potential to paint us all with that brush.  Our duty is to improve the image of our industry with higher standards and training.

National Background Check System Vital To Nation's Security

In a special guest column by Bill Whitmore, the CEO & President of Allied-Barton Security Services (CALSAGA Member), we hear the case for a national system of background checks for security officers that does not depend on state-by-state regulation.

Mr, Whitmore writes:

The most significant issue facing the security officer sector today is background check standardization. Our country has no national background check system to ensure all private security officer personnel can be quickly vetted and screened. Information about arrests and convictions are available in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), but those computerized records are only available to law enforcement except in select states such as Florida and Arizona. State-wide background checking information does not go far enough. We need a clearinghouse similar to the banking industry. The reality is that this system is broken, and it’s time for a radical change.

Private security officers provide a primary line of defense for much of the country, securing countless lives and tens of thousands of important sites each and every day. As the largest American owned security officer services’ firm, our company was called to testify by the United States House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. We were queried on our experience using the criminal history database of the FBI to help screen applicants as well as our views on the Attorney General’s June 2006 Report on Criminal History Background Checks.

Today, when we seek to hire security personnel, we have to conduct state-wide or county by county and court by court criminal record checks. In our global world, where anyone can jump on a plane or drive five states away in a few hours, statewide information is of very limited value. Without timely access to the records of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, no investigation of security personnel can be considered complete.

The Attorney General’s Report concluded that a comprehensive and reliable criminal history background check cannot be accomplished without timely access to the records of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I agree whole heartedly with that statement. Our experience has proved that to be true.

Without access to federal records, the only records available to an employer are those in the states and their political subdivisions, where the records are typically kept at the courthouse in each county. Since there is no practical way to check all the counties for every employee, employers usually request a record check in the counties in which the applicant says they have recently lived or worked. This leaves the employer blind to any criminal history records in states for which the applicant failed to disclose.

There are commercial databases that aggregate criminal history information from multiple states but these are not truly national because not all states, courts, or agencies make their records available. Moreover, these databases are only updated periodically and, thus, may lack current data. These commercial databases are not adequate substitutes for information contained in the FBI-maintained database.

Congress with the support of many individuals in the industry acted in good faith to provide private security officer employers with access to that federal database in 2004. Unfortunately, in doing so, Congress required that the employers always go through the state identification bureaus in order to get that access. In other words, we must submit the employee information to the state bureau, which then forwards the request to the federal level. If the FBI record check is completed, the results come back to the state, which then notifies the employer.

Significant delays in getting responses to criminal history record requests are unfair to employers and applicants, and present potential security risks. To address this problem, private sector employers should be able to screen job applicants against the FBI’s criminal history records, with the states serving as the employers’ primary access point for criminal background checks only if they can meet the Attorney General standard. If a state cannot provide timely background check results that incorporate both state and FBI data, employers should be able to make direct requests to the FBI for criminal history records utilizing digitized fingerprints.

A national background screening protocol will elevate the security officer sector and revolutionize the industry. Our government needs to work with the private security sector and place a high priority on establishing a clearinghouse where we can electronically submit applicant fingerprints and review the background of applicants across the country, immediately uncovering criminal records and other liabilities that may exist. By implementing these recommendations for the private security industry - specifically by insuring employers’ timely access to FBI criminal records while preserving employee rights - we will make our nation safer and ensure that the hard-working men and women in the physical security sector can benefit from the increased professionalism and standardization that is vital to our sector.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 3, 2007

Editorial: Star-crossed - Fredericksburg News-Post

This editorial speaks in favor of a recent decision by the local police agency to disallow off duty police from using their police uniforms and vehicles while "moonlighting" in private security positions.

Private security industry to create 10 million jobs - New Delhi (India) Financial Express

India's armed forces might be struggling to attract people to its ranks, but private security agencies are turning out to be one of the largest job creators and are poised to employ over 10 million in the next five years.

Security increased at airports, border crossings - Canada West News Services

North American airports and borders, already preparing to deal with the crush of holidays and summer travel season, stepped up security over the weekend in the wake of terror-related incidents in London and Glasgow.

Update from Brian Fagan in Iraq

CALSAGA member and former Southern California Vice President Brian Fagan recently sent us an update on his service in Iraq.  As you will recall, Brian, in addition to owning Royal Security Services in Los Angeles and being active in CALSAGA, is a member of the Navy Reserve.  His unit was recently activated, and he is serving a deployment in Iraq.

Here is his letter, along with a recent photo:

Well I have been here in this lovely sun soaked oasis called Iraq for over a month now. It has been getting warmer here each day, but not much over 80 degrees… I would say only about 33 degrees over 80, to be more exact. The only time I go out in this damn heat is for what I call the “walk through hell.” That is the 8 minute walk I must take from my trailer to my work station at about 5:30PM everyday. I haven’t been able to determine if I should walk fast to hurry up and get to my air conditioned building or walk slowly so not to get hot through physical exertion. I pretty much lean towards the bat out of hell approach. I am always off by 6:00AM, so I get all my stuff during the following 3 – 4 hours before the heat really picks up. It’s usually very nice in the morning and cool to watch the sunrise (or set) out here, because there is so much dust in the air you can look directly at the sun without blinding yourself. It’s almost like the smog back home in LA, just no chemicals.

I’m in my 35th or 36th day (I kinda lost track) of being “in country” and I have about 144 more to go. Time has flown by quickly and every day seems to blur into the last one. It’s definitely like the movie “Groundhog Day.” Even though I have gotten used to camp life and the rhythm of the operations here, I still can’t wait to get back home. On one of my adventure trips around the base here (and I say adventure because I usually end up using a manual transmission pick-up truck that I don’t know how to use very well and is so much fun when I stall it in front of a convoy of humvees and armored trucks), I discovered the Olympic size outdoor pool. I don’t know who built it, us or the Iraqis, but it looks very nice. I wasn’t able to use it at the time, but I plan to start working on a suntan soon. Also, to help pass the time away and to do something different, I decided to grow a mustache for the first time. I don’t know how long I will keep it, but I guess at least long enough to take a picture and send it out to everyone. Barry, Doug, Kim… I think the three of you will be proud.

Many of you have probably wondered where the hell I am stationed over here… well sorry to disappoint you but we have been told that we cannot tell anyone back home where we are located in Iraq. I guess it is a security issue, because one of you (and I think I know who it is too) might want to drop a few mortar rounds on us. You have got to admire the logic of the Army, as if there weren’t enough military bases spread throughout Iraq in addition to the famous Green Zone to serve as insurgent/terrorist targets, my Army commanders here are afraid that terrorists may learn which base I am at and will decide to use their precious mortar rounds to try to take me out. Go figure!

I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to hearing from you all.

On assignment with the Army somewhere in Iraq,

IS1 Brian J. Fagan, USN

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 2, 2007

Lax state laws create loopholes in security mix - New Orleans Business Journal

Slack state requirements regarding licensed private security guards have created blind spots in industry oversight.  The Board of Private Security Examiners, which regulates Louisiana’s security guard industry, allows a private security firm 20 days to submit an applicant’s name to the Board, which means a person working for a company can go unidentified from state scrutiny for nearly three weeks.

Quad City airport steps up security - KQAD-TV, Moline, IL

Security guards at the airport say there are many more workers out patrolling the curb side area along with more police.

Daily Private Security News Clips - July 1, 2007

Report recommends ordinance to require courthouse screening areas - The Eureka (CA) Reporter

CALSAGA member American Start Security is helping secure the Humboldt County Courthouse.  The county is trying to comply with an ordinance requiring screening of all individuals entering the courthouse.

2 men arrested in slaying, robbery of security guard - Indianapolis Star

Two Indianapolis men were arrested Saturday night as suspects in the robbery and slaying of a 37-year-old security guard, whose body was found earlier in the day at a Westside auto repair shop.

Bullet-Proof Vest Saves Guard's Life - Fox-TV, Milwaukee, WI

A 23-year-old security guard was shot in the chest twice Wednesday evening as he was patrolling around electrical towers in the 2700 block of West Mill Road.  The guard got only minor injuries because he was wearing body armor.

Slain Virginia Wesleyan security guard gets award for valor - The Virginia Pilot (Hampton Roads, VA)

The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators has honored a slain Virginia Wesleyan College security officer with its 2007 Award for Valor, the school announced today.

Security Guard Hit In Attempted Robbery In Madison Parking Lot - WISC-TV, Madison, WI & The Capital Times

A security guard said that he was making his rounds to the rear parking lot when he confronted a person for trespassing. That's when the person demanded the guard's wallet and the guard was struck from behind by a second person, WISC-TV reported.

Letter to Editor: Police should partner with private security agencies - Arizona Republic

A letter to the editor from a retired police officer in Phoenix, who says that law enforcement should work harder to cooperate with private security.