Private Security Companies
It’s common to feel we’re living in complicated times. If you’re over 60, you have some real context to compare previous tough times with current tough times. Depending on the tough time, if you’re in your 40s you might also have some things to compare to the present. But most folks naturally gravitate to their current situation, and if things are not going well from a safety standpoint, then some additional measures need to be taken.
One additional measure that many consider in the face of growing crime is purchasing a gun. We aren’t going to get into the upsides or downsides of firearm ownership. Rather, if you choose not to purchase a gun and are still concerned about your safety, that of your family, or that of your place of business, a private security company is another often called-upon option.
Private security companies are businesses providing both armed and unarmed security services. In the US alone there are over 2 million full-time security workers, and the US is the largest consumer of security services. The types of services you can contract either at an individual or business level are uniformed (armed or unarmed) officers, lobby/concierge security, or security patrol vehicles. At a neighborhood level, many neighborhoods across the US contract roving security services (cars, bikes, on foot) with the goal of deterring bad guys. These have worked well and continue to grow in popularity. The positives with this type of security is there isn’t an inherent need to form a relationship with the guards working on behalf of the clientele. Some people, however, do prefer the relationship route, and for them, guards working more intimately with families or businesses is what’s necessary.
The biggest private security firm worldwide is G4S Plc. Based out of England, G4S employs roughly 620,000 professionals and works in over 50 countries globally. Number two is Securitas AB, a Swedish firm with 300,000 people in 55 countries. Stateside, ADT Inc. is a popular firm, formerly known as the ADT Corporation. You’ve likely seen the signs on folk’s lawns that say, “Protected by ADT.” It’s by far the most popular US firm alongside Allied Universal. Allied began in Pittsburgh and ended up fusing two companies under the same umbrella - AlliedBarton and Universal Services of America.
If you, your business, or your neighborhood is in need of additional security, the first step is to talk with a friend or colleague who has already employed a service. If they have been with said service for some time, it is likely that the service is doing a decent job. If they’ve been jumping around from service to service (something that does occur), that’s not a great sign. The one caveat, however, is because this is a very “personal” service, sometimes people do rotate through companies to find one they eventually feel comfortable with. What works for you might not work for a friend. This is why it’s important to pay attention to customer reviews, and if you’re with a service and something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to politely end the relationship and move on to another.
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