New Mexico Security Blog

New Mexico Security Blog

The [New Mexico Security Blog http://www.callsummit.typepad.com] features issues concerning the New Mexico Private Security and Investigation Industry, its employees, regulatory authorities, consumers and the general public. It was founded and published by Robb Hamic who is a New Mexico licensed Private Investigator and Private Patrol Operator. The blog is a comprehensive source of information concerning security companies, owners, laws, guard training regulations, industry updates, insurance regulation and compliance issues.

History

----The New Mexico Security Industry isn't well regulated or enforced by the [New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Division http://www.state.nm.us/rld] . Unlicensed, illegal security companies and illegitimate employees have overtaken the industry in the last ten years. Non-compliance with law and state rules is commonplace, especially in the Albuquerque Security market. Unlicensed security companies present many problems to the citizens of New Mexico such as: no FBI criminal background checks for employees or owners, no guard training, no liability insurance, no workers compensation insurance, no vehicle insurance, non payment of taxes including federal and state sales tax collected and decreased standards for company operation and security procedure. Most unlicensed company owners don't have the experience required by law to qualify for the Private Patrol Operator license. Unlicensed security guards present some of the following problems: existence of criminal convictions, no training, illegal carrying of weapons, using personal vehicles to patrol private property, no insurance, lack of supervision, low pay, low standards, excessive use of force and potential criminal activity while on the job as a security guard. Unlicensed or illegal companies operate in the open with public advertising in the phone book, Internet, direct advertising, radio and TV advertising and in-person marketing.

The New Mexico Security and Investigation Industry is regulated by the [Private Investigator's Advisory Board http://www.rld.state.nm.us/PrivateInvestigations/index.html] comprised of five people appointed by Governor Bill Richardson. The Board has had a vacancy since June 2008. This advisory Board is responsible for hearing complaints, issuing licenses, revoking licenses, issuing discipline to licensees, creating and implementing training standards, licensee compliance investigations and other business that effects the Industry. Currently, the Board Administrator is Steve Herrera. The Board doesn't have a dedicated compliance officer responsible for investigating the many complaints that are made against licensees, unlicensed companies and employee. It shares one compliance officer with five or six other New Mexico Boards and Commissions.

Purpose

----The New Mexico Security Blog was established to publicize the problems in the New Mexico Security Industry. It features investigations of unlicensed and illegal activity including: documents, covert audio, video, interviews, TV news reports, Radio news reports and interviews, comments by Industry employees and citizens, law, rules and regulations, resources for security consumers and opinions about New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Division and the Private investigator and Polygraph Board. The blog features a majority of the investigations on the Albuquerque Security market.

Legal companies and employees in the New Mexico Security Industry became frustrated because state government didn't respond to valid complaints and wide-spread unlicensed and illegal activity. The state has taken no real action against these firms or their employees. Complaints made to the New Mexico Attorney General and Governor Bill Richardson about Regulation and Licensing were ignored.

The goal of the New Mexico Security Blog is to increase public safety, professionalize the Security Industry, encourage New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Division and the Private Investigator's Board to enforce state law.

Actions

----The New Mexico Security Blog has been successful it its efforts. Its investigations have led to the arrests or indictments of seven security company owners. Dozens are being actively investigated by law enforcement. The blog's investigations have been featured on local TV news and radio shows increased public awareness. The blog has exposed hundreds of criminals who work in the security industry, over 70 security companies tat had no worker's compensation insurance, over 70 companies who had no state license to operate, 18 companies that were erroneously listed by the Better Business Bureau web site as "security companies" when in fact, they were unlicensed. The blog tracks court cases and indictments for the public.

References

* [http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/210678.pdf Private security protects 85% of America’s infrastructure]
* [http://www.homelandsecurityweekly.com/news/Private-Security-Guards-060107/ Private security guards weaken National Security]
* [http://www.rld.state.nm.us/PrivateInvestigations/ruleslaw.html New Mexico Private Investigator and Security rules and law]
* [http://KOB.com/article/stories/S503956.shtml?cat=10134 Unlicensed security Guard story- KOBTV Channel 4]
* [http://www.770kkob.com/getpodcast.aspx?sid=20013&lid=6691&id=790847&source=1&url=http://www.abqradio.com/770/Podcasting/JV/08-0707.mp3 Citadel Broadcasting interview about the Unlicensed Security Epidemic]