NCJ Number
59675
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 2 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1979) Pages: 39-43
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY'S HISTORY, GROWTH, EXPANSION INTO NEW ASSIGNMENTS, AND PROBLEMS IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
PRIVATE SECURITY IS A GROWTH INDUSTRY. AN ESTIMATED $12 BILLION IS SPENT ANNUALLY ON PRIVATE SECURITY IN THE UNITED STATES. DESPITE THE PROLIFERATION OF SOPHISTICATED CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION AND BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMS, OVER HALF OF THE INDUSTRY'S REVENUES STILL COME FROM THE SERVICES IT ORIGINATED IN THE 1850'S: PRIVATE DETECTIVES, GUARDS, COURIER SERVICES, AND ARMORED CAR DELIVERIES. THE EXACT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORKING IN PRIVATE SECURITY IS NOT KNOWN, BUT IN THE MID-1970'S THE NUMBER WAS ESTIMATED AT ONE-HALF MILLION. IN SOME CITIES AND STATES, PRIVATE SECURITY FORCES FAR OUTNUMBER PUBLIC POLICE. THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY'S BIGGEST PROBLEM IS FINDING MANPOWER. AS BUDGET CUTBACKS AND HIRING FREEZES CONTINUE TO AFFECT POLICE AGENCIES, THE DEMAND FOR PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES IS LIKELY TO GROW. ALREADY THERE HAS BEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE PRESENCE OF SECURITY GUARDS IN NEW AND HIGHLY VISIBLE ASSIGNMENTS (RETAIL STORES, SCHOOLS, PRIVATE HOSPITALS), CAUSING SOME OBSERVERS TO COMPLAIN THAT CITIES ARE BEGINNING TO SEEM LIKE GARRISONS. THE MAJOR CONCERN REGARDING PRIVATE SECURITY IS THE NEED FOR BETTER SCREENING AND TRAINING OF GUARDS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO CARRY FIREARMS. SEVERAL STATES HAVE PASSED OR ARE CONSIDERING LAWS TO STEP UP REGULATION OF PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS. SOME MEMBERS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY HAVE EXPRESSED THE CONCERN THAT TIGHTER REGULATION WILL MEAN AN EVEN GREATER CONCENTRATION OF BUSINESS IN THE FIVE COMPANIES THAT ALREADY ACCOUNT FOR 50 PERCENT OF THE INDUSTRY'S ANNUAL REVENUES. A SIDEBAR TO THE ARTICLE FOCUSES ON REGULATION OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IN TEXAS. (LKM)