On Q Professional Investigations

“Private armed security guards will protect your kids next year.

The Horry County school board voted Monday to approve a $550,000 contract with U.S. Security Associates to provide 18 armed security guards who will patrol the 15 schools that Horry County police previously patrolled as well as three new schools scheduled to be open by next year.

Chief Financial Officer John Gardner said doesn’t recall the district ever using private security inside schools before.

U.S. Security Associates is an insured, American-owned company that provides over 50,000 security professionals with 160 branches in the United States, according to its website.

The firm also provides unarmed security outside Horry County schools and its existing contract with the district provides that it may supply armed security guards for an additional cost if needed.

The security guards in the schools would have arresting authority on school property, according to district spokeswoman Teal Britton.

Unlike police officers, they would operate at the disposal of the school district.

The company in its proposal told the district that all armed guards would receive all necessary training required by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division as well as an additional 16 hours in training from U.S. Security Associates.

“The company will be required to provide proof of all background checks and training,” Britton said last week.

U.S. Security Associates District Manager Ed Leitgeb said the firm puts its employees through extensive social security and background checks and would like to recruit veterans and law enforcement to fill the positions in Horry County Schools.

Leitgeb said all security guards are required to be trained in CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator operation.

The district already has budgeted $801,000 in the 2017-18 budget for all SROs, including $592,000 for officers at the schools that Horry County police would have patrolled this year: the amount budgeted for the officers under the previous agreement with the county.

The district began looking at private security options after the county in March abandoned a long-standing agreement to split the cost of school resource officers’ salaries, and most recently asked for more than $1.6 million to patrol the schools.”

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“The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is giving the Transportation Security Administration an ultimatum on dealing with long lines at airports.

CBS2’s Christine Sloan reported the Port Authority is warning the TSA in a letter it will be replaced by a private security force.

“We can no longer tolerate the continuing inadequacy of the TSA passenger services,” the letter reads.

The letter states the long waits at John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airports are “prompting angry complaints from passengers, terminal operators, and airlines alike … citing inconvenience, delayed flights and missed flight connections.”

“Passengers have been waiting up to an hour in lines at security checkpoints.

“They’re pretty long,” one traveler said.

Travel expert Peter Trabucco said travelers should not be concerned if airports turn to private security forces.

“Not really, because the processes and the protocols are all set up,” Trabucco said. “They’re going to be doing the same, that’s why the lines are all long because of terrorism.”

Trabucco said the goal of privatization is to cut costs.

“Time would tell if it would work or not. It depends on the company, it depends on how serious they are. Some are good, some are bad,” Trabucco said. “I still feel the TSA itself has a very, very tough job.”

The TSA said it “will directly respond to the Port Authority.”

However, the agency is trying to get more money to hire extra screeners and pushing “pre-check,” a program passengers can sign up for that screens them before they travel.

“I can keep my shoes on. I believe I can keep my computer in my backpack. It’s easier with children,” traveler Denise Suri said.

Private security companies have already taken over 22 airports, including in San Francisco and Kansas City.”

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A dispute about parking at a Near North Side nightclub early Friday ended with security guards detaining a man who they said threatened them with a gun.

The guards told police that they asked Van M. Johnson, 30, to move his Chevrolet Camaro out of the valet parking lot in the 800 block of North Orleans Street. Johnson argued, police said, and the guards eventually told the Near West Side man that he wouldn’t be allowed back inside the nightclub but that he still needed to move the car.

At that point, prosecutors said, Johnson retrieved a revolver from the car’s glove box and threatened the security guards. When the guards drew their own weapons, Johnson complied and was detained until police arrived at around 2:25 a.m., his arrest report said. Officers recovered a .32-caliber revolver loaded with four live rounds from his car.

Johnson, of the 2200 block of West Monroe Street, was charged with three felony counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer with a weapon, as well as a single felony count of aggravated unauthorized use of a weapon.

In bond court Saturday, Judge Laura Marie Sullivan ordered him held on $25,000 bail.

Court records didn’t name the nightclub.

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A security guard’s post isn’t for the faint of heart. Employers hire security officers to help protect against fire, theft, vandalism, terrorism, and other illegal actions. Security guards ensure safety by actively patrolling or using security systems to keep a watchful eye over a facility. Like police officers, a number of security guards are armed with a weapon. Responsibilities vary depending on the setting—transportation guards use detectors to screen passengers, while security guards at casinos survey for cheating and underage gamblers. Although movies frequently depict security guards sleeping on the job, there’s little down time in this line of work, as guards must remain alert to monitor for any suspicious activity.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a steady job growth of 18.8 percent for the profession between 2010 and 2020, as concern about crime, vandalism, and terrorism continue to increase the need for security. During that time period, 195,000 jobs will be added.

Salary

According to the BLS, in 2011, security guards earned a median average salary of $23,900. The best-paid earned about $41,860, while the lowest-paid made approximately $17,260. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of Ithaca, N.Y., San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Amarillo, Texas.

Salary Range

75th Percentile – $31,150
Median – $23,900
25th Percentile – $19,600

Training

While no universal set of qualifications exists for security guards, many employers prefer to hire individuals with a high school diploma. Previous law enforcement or military experience is definitely a plus. Employers frequently run background checks on potential candidates, so a clean criminal record is important. Employers may also conduct drug tests before hiring a candidate. New employees receive an on-site orientation from their employer about their role and responsibilities. Armed security guards do require the proper certification for carrying a weapon and undergo more thorough on-the-job training. States possess different weapon policies, so be sure to get the proper license to retain your weapon. Additionally, state governments have begun to register security guards. This licensing procedure usually involves a background check and some classroom training independent of your employer.

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