California Security News

Two Riverside men taking concert organizers to court for injuries

Los Angeles – A judge allows two Riverside County men who state poor security was to blame for injuries they suffered at the 2007 Ozzfest concert can take their case to trial.  McClelland and Holloway filed their lawsuit in January 2008, maintaining the security guards hired to work at the concert were "too young and under-trained to act as security guards at a heavy metal concert."

The men claim that they were attacked on separate occasions and went to security to make a report.  They were told "the situation was too dangerous and the security guard did not want security personnel to be injured," according to the plaintiffs.  

This will be an interesting case to follow and could sent precedence for security company liability.

Hemet passes city ordinance against security companies

Hemet –  A small city near Temecula passed a city ordinance requiring private security companies to have uniforms, insignias, shields and badges that are "clearly distinguishable" from those worn by Hemet police officers. 

The city council, who obviously doesn’t know this law already exists state-wide, passed the ordinance unanimously. The ordinance also prohibits private security guards from driving cars and motorcycles with markings that bear a striking resemblance to those driven by Hemet police.   The ordinance requires companies to avoid look-alike uniforms and choose colors and designs for insignias, shields and badges that don't resemble those of local, state or federal law enforcement officials.  Vehicle insignias, decals and colors must be approved by Hemet's police chief and include the word "private" in at least four-inch capital letters.  

Basically, because the city council thinks the citizens of Hemet are to ignorant to be able to tell the difference between a public officer and a private professional, the security companies in Hemet must find a uniform, badge, and decal that no state or federal agency use.  

Hemet city councilman Jim Foreman said he thinks the ordinance is needed after recently finding himself in a situation in which he almost mistook a private security guard for a Los Angeles policeman.  

Alleged shoplifter stabs security San Diego Security Officer

From the North County Times:

San Diego - An alleged shoplifter stabbed a security guard at a Clairemont Mesa grocery store, police said Saturday.

The security guard at the Vons at 5555 Balboa Ave. had handcuffed the shoplifter, but removed the handcuffs after about an hour. The man then stabbed him in the arm and ran away, said San Diego police Officer David Stafford.

The guard was taken to Sharp Grossmont Hospital.

The suspect was described as a 22-year-old Asian man, about 6-feet tall with a muscular build.

Security guard foils bank heist

From the Orange County Register

Newport Beach - A 57-year-old man was arrested this morning on suspicion of robbing a bank.

James Alexander Beverley is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail after being detained by a security guard at the Wells Fargo branch at 2750 West Coast Highway, according to the Newport Beach Police Dept.

According to police, a man walked into the branch at about 9:30 a.m. and handed a teller a note claiming he had a gun and demanding money. The teller gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash and the man left  the bank.

The security guard followed the man outside and detained him for police, according to the release.

Beverley was arrested on suspicion of bank robbery.

Anyone with information regarding Beverley is asked to call 800-550-6273.

More People Training to Become Security Guards But Jobs Not Guaranteed

This from KESQ.com

PALM DESERT - There are more students training to be security guards at the Coachella Valley Security Academy. But that doesn't mean they're getting jobs.     

Bower Security guard Alex Reyes knows.

"There's a lot of times where there could be a lot of companies accepting applications, but there's really no jobs, so it's like I said, 'you win them and lose them.'"

In these tough times, some businesses will cancel their security contract while other businesses will add security. While most jobs are hard to come by, there's always a need for security, especially here.

There's still hundreds of gated communities around the Coachella Valley. That means hundreds of extra jobs for security guard companies, but tough times are forcing some gated communities to rearrange their security contracts.

"They may cut the hours back a little bit so that they still have personnel out there protecting and watching their assets," Johnnie Woods with the Coachella Valley Security Academy said. "They may cut back to maybe one person or maybe cut back to a patrol."

Sometimes the changes are seasonal.

"During a season, they could increase the coverage and as soon as the season ends they could drop to one person at the gate and one of those officers into patrol," Woods points out.

There's no telling how things will change, or if they'll change when the economy improves.      So, in the meantime, job hopefuls are guarding optimism about finding work.

"Law enforcement can't do it all," Reyes says. "So security steps in and, where possible, picks up the slack."

Trolly Shooting - Man suspected in shooting arrested

From the Union Tribune

SAN DIEGO – Police think an 18-year-old man arrested Wednesday is responsible for robbing and shooting a security guard, robbing a second and assaulting another guard at trolley stations in San Diego and La Mesa.

Marquise Loftis was taken into custody about 12:30 a.m. not far from his Oak Park home, San Diego police said.

Detectives with San Diego and La Mesa police were surveilling Loftis after receiving information that linked the man to the crimes, La Mesa Lt. David Bond said. When he got into a vehicle and drove off, officers pulled it over on 54th Street, near Pirotte Drive, and took him into custody, said San Diego police Sgt. Ray Battrick.

Oakland Security Officer Knocked Unconscious

OAKLAND - A Security Officer working at an apartment complex in Oakland was knocked unconscious Sunday and robbed by three men after he told them they were making too much noise.

Around 8:55 p.m., the guard approached the men in a stairwell and told them they were being too loud, and to either quiet down or leave the premises, police said. The men cussed at the guard as he turned to walk away. As he headed up the stairwell, the guard was struck in the head from behind and knocked out.

When he came to, he found his wallet, cell phone and money missing from his pants. He had fallen face first and was seriously injured, police said.

Police said they believe the attackers might live in a nearby complex or have an affiliate in the apartments where the assault occurred. They were described as African-American, 17 to 20 years old, and two of them were about 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds, and wore white T-shirts and blue jeans. The third was about the same height and weight, but had 6- to 8-inch-long black dreadlocks with brown tips, and wore a black hooded sweat shirt and blue jeans.

Police ask anyone with information to call 510-293-7000.

Trolly Shooting - Robbery and shooting targeted station guards

From the Union Tribune

SAN DIEGO - The robbery Wednesday of two transit security guards at the 62nd Street trolley station in San Diego may be linked to Saturday's shooting of a transit security guard at the Grossmont trolley station in La Mesa, authorities said.

In each case, witnesses gave similar descriptions of suspects, police said.

“We suspect they are related and are working with (San Diego police) and (the Metropolitan Transit System) on the cases, but there is currently nothing definite,” La Mesa police Lt. David Bond said.

The security guard who was shot was treated at a San Diego hospital and released Sunday.

Judy Leitner, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transit System, said a reward was increased yesterday to $10,000 – from an initial $1,000 – for a tip leading to a conviction. The additional funds were offered by MTS, Heritage Security Services and an anonymous donor, she said.

MTS security director Bill Burke said he has added guards.

“We've increased the number of security guards on platforms and on trains to help prevent crimes like this,” Burke said yesterday.

The 52-mile, light-rail line that links San Diego with Santee to the east and the U.S.-Mexico border at San Ysidro is monitored by 130 security guards, including 80 with firearms, under a pact with Heritage, Burke said. Six police agencies and the county Sheriff's Department also help fight crime on trolley property.

In comments posted yesterday on signonsandiego.com, several critics questioned the adequacy of the private security force, contending riders were unsafe.

Burke disagreed. “We have just met with the police departments along the line,” he said. “We work with them every day on different segments of the line.”

“I would say the riders are definitely safe,” Burke added. “In this particular situation, there haven't been any threats directed at our riders. This is some individual or individuals who have chosen to target our staff.”

In the robbery Wednesday, two uniformed guards were patrolling at the station on Akins Drive about 6:30 p.m. when the robber pointed a handgun at them and took a gun and ammunition from one of the guards. The robber was described as black, 20 to 30 years old and slim. He wore a black, hooded sweat shirt, black pants and a black bandanna over his face.

About 10:15 p.m. Saturday, a uniformed security guard was shot twice and had his gun and ammunition taken from him. The assailant was black, 5 feet 11 inches tall and thin. He was last seen wearing black clothing, including black gloves. He also had a small, blue duffel-type bag strapped to his chest.

The gunman ran up the stairs toward Grossmont Center and escaped. Dozens of police officers and deputies, including a crew in a helicopter, searched the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers'anonymous toll-free tip line at (888) 580-8477.

Man takes a San Diego security officer's gun

SAN DIEGO — A man wielding a long-barreled handgun stole a gun from a trolley security officer Wednesday night.  The officer was working for Transit Systems Security, owned by Heritage Security.

Two uniformed security officers were patrolling at the 62nd Street trolley station on Akins Drive about 6:30 p.m. when they were approached by the man, San Diego police said.

The robber pointed his weapon at them and took a gun, a magazine and ammunition from one of the officers, police said.

The thief was described as black, 20 to 30 years old and slim. He was wearing a black hooded sweat shirt and black pants and had a black bandana covering his face.

Two Unarmed Security Officers Shot

From KCRA

STOCKTON - Two unarmed security guards were found executed early Tuesday in Stockton, police said.

The bodies were discovered at about 2 a.m. in separate vehicles parked at the Park Village Apartments at 3830 Alvarado Ave., Officer Pete Smith said. No arrests have been made.

The guards, who residents identified as Oscar and Eugene, worked for Ad Force Private Security.

A resident of the complex found the guards. The victims had multiple gunshot wounds, Smith added. Roc Bell, who found the bodies, said he initially went outside early Tuesday to look for his wife. He heard gunshots in the area. Bell said he approached the car where one of the guards appeared to be sleeping in the dark. He said he hoped the guard could help him find his wife. Bell said he shook the guard, who he sometimes joined on fishing trips. When the guard did not wake up, Bell used his cell phone light get a better view. He said he could see the guard had several bullet wounds to his chest and was dead. "So I checked his partner out, who was in the same condition ... looked like they got surprised," Bell said. The engines of the guards' cars were still running, Bell said. Bell said he then went to find a maintenance worker for help. Police were then called.

The man who found the victims said the guard he went fishing with was well-liked among residents in the complex. The second slain guard was known for strictly enforcing apartment rules, he added. Smith said the complex is home to many people from Southeast Asia and is generally a "peaceful community," but added that some gang members are known to frequent the area. Smith said the guards were generally well liked in the complex and emphasized that it was not clear if the shooting is gang-related. Julia Martinez, a friend of one of the guards, expressed her sadness on Tuesday to KCRA 3. "Oscar had a big heart, he had no enemies," Martinez said. "Oscar told me there were major issues with Asian gangs. That neighborhood is notorious for Asian gangs." Martinez said she never heard Oscar say that neither he nor Eugene had ever had any run-ins with people who live at the complex.

Ad Force Private Security said armed guards would patrol the complex on Tuesday night.

Shooting victim at Rialto night club was a security officer

A man found fatally shot outside a night club in Rialto this morning was a security guard there, officials said.

Police were called to the parking lot in the 300 block of E. Foothill Boulevard at 7:10 a.m. after several 911 calls poured in about shots being fired.

Officers found Ricardo Alejandro Velarde, a 23-year-old Long Beach man, dead in his parked 1998 Land Rover.

Velarde was a security guard at the El Patio night club.

No arrests have been made. Police said they are unsure what prompted the shooting.

The club "did have a famous Latino band there last night and there was a large group of patrons there," said Rialto police Officer Carla McCullough. "We don't know if it occured during club hours or if it was something that occurred afterward."

Security Officer Shoots Robbery Suspect In Mar Vista

Officials say a security guard shot and wounded a 19-year-old would-be robber Tuesday afternoon in Mar Vista.

Police were unable to confirm a report that the wounded suspect was shot in both legs, but officer Karren Rayner confirmed that "a robbery suspect (was) shot by a security guard."

Paramedics were dispatched to Venice Boulevard and Barry Avenue about 2:30 p.m. The wounded man was taken to an area hospital.

Security officer opens fire at Sacramento club

Sacramento - One person has been shot and three others injured following a fight outside a Sacramento nightclub.

Police say a security officer shot a passenger in an SUV that hit two people as it sped away early Saturday from the Costa Azul nightclub.

The SUV driver flagged down a Sacramento Fire Department ambulance several blocks from the nightclub to get aid for the passenger, who was hit in the wrist. Ambulance personnel called police, who arrested the driver on suspicion of hit and run and drunken driving.

The two people hit by the SUV were hospitalized with moderate injuries. A security officer who was also struck by the vehicle had minor injuries.

Armed men steal $650,000 worth of cargo in Harbor Gateway

From the LA Times

A 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.

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.

Two of the men, armed with handguns, entered the warehouse through a rear door and the rest drove in through the front with semitrailer trucks, officials said. When a security guard tried to stop the vehicles from entering, the two armed men attacked the guard, Sohn said.

"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.

Blackwater changed name to "Xe"

The North Carolina-based private security company had exemplified the problems of using private security in combat zones. Now, after losing its contract to guard U.S. diplomats in Iraq, it is changing its name.

Company officials announced Friday that the group of businesses formerly called Blackwater Worldwide will now be known as "Xe," pronounced like the letter Z. The company provided no information on the meaning of its unusual new name.

The attempt to rebrand itself comes as six former employees face manslaughter charges for a shooting that killed 17 civilians in Baghdad.