New Mexico Security Blog by Robb Hamic

Albuquerque mass murder scene: uncovered the 13th body. Albuquerque serial killer.

Albuquerque, NM- February 28, 2009.  Police have found the thirteenth woman's body in the "largest crime scene in Albuquerque's history.  See latest story by clicking HERE.  Police say that the first victim's body was found February 2, 2009 and they estimate that the current bodies found indicate that death occured 2000-2005.  They say that the same suspect probably killed and buried all of the victims in the same area of the West Mesa.

Personal protection is serious business and Albuquerque has proven to be a violent place to live.  Summit self-defense provides resources for people wishing to protect themselves. 

http://www.summitselfdefense.com

Robert Robb Hamic has written a guide on how to hire an Albuquerque security company.

Albuquerque, NM- February 27, 2009- Robert Robb Hamic has written a guide on how to hire a security company in Albuquerque.  Security consumers can use this checklist when interviewing and hiring a security firm to meet their needs.

“Choosing a security company is a big and sometimes confusing decision,” says Robert Robb Hamic, President of Summit Security & Investigation.  Businesses should pay particular attention to several often overlooked details when choosing a reputable security firm,” he says.  The following is a list of items that security consumers should verify before making the decision to hire a firm.

• A state security “PPO” license is required in New Mexico. Verify it!      
• Worker’s Compensation insurance is required by NM law. Verify it!
• Each guard must be licensed by the state and trained to standards
• Verify that the security firm has Commercial General Liability insurance
• Verify vehicle insurance (if one is used at your location)   
• Verify a city business license and NM state Tax certificate 
• Get at least three client references and call them personally       
• Verify litigation history of the security firm as this may be a indication of past performance.  Unsuspecting security consumer businesses are often named as co-defendants in lawsuits. 

Security consumers should insist on a written agreement that details all expectations for the security service to be provided.  In addition, consumers should review and receive the specific “post orders” that will be given to the guards assigned to the business location.  Business owners should be given copies of the individual guard’s license to insure compliance with New Mexico law and training.   Robert Hamic says, “Businesses often forget that the individual guard is the most important representative of the security company and can influence the service in a positive or negative manner.  Consumers need to make sure that the guard has the proper licensing, training and background checks because there a lot of people working in security with poor criminal records and no training or licensing.”

Robert Robb Hamic is the President of Summit Security & Investigation based in Albuquerque New Mexico.  Summit provides security services to a wide variety of businesses, hotels, shopping centers, facilities and buildings.  Summit provides security to many sectors and government agencies.  Mr. Hamic will provide a free security risk-assessment to Albuquerque businesses upon request.  http://www.callsummit.com 

Robb@callsummit.com or 505-255-6063

Summit also provides pre-employment background screening. http://www.donthireacon.com 

Summit also provides Israeli self-defense instruction and training to individuals, companies and law enforcement.  http://www.summitselfdefense.com

   

Robb Hamic: Is there a serial killer in Albuquerque?

Albuquerque, NM- February 27, 2009.  Police have found the eleventh body on Albuquerque's Westside.  One Albuquerque Police Detective said, "this is the largest crime scene in the history of the city."  She was referring to a 92 acre tract of land that is being combed for more bodies on Albuquerque's expansive West Mesa.

This is a horrific discovery and it causes many citizens to be alarmed.  ABC News has done a few stories on this mass murder scene. CLICK HERE for news story.    

These crimes spotlight the continual violence that occurs in the city and reminds us all that we need to increase our safety and security.  Awareness and preparedness are key for individuals and Albuquerque businesses that attract large amounts of people.  Unfortunately, these places also attract people who wish to do harm to others or criminals who what to steal.  

The poor economy has caused many of Albuquerque's business, hotels, grocery chains, shopping centers, apartment communities and other locations to scale back on security services.  This comes a a bad time as rime seems to be rising and the overall assault rate in Albuquerque is very high.  I encourage you to look around the next time you go to a public place and notice the reduced amount of security presence.  How does this make you feel?

Summit Security provides service throughout the Albuquerque area to a wide variety of business and commercial clients.  http://www.callsummit.com

 Summit also provides Taser instruction and training and handgun weapon deployment training at their school in Albuquerque. http://www.summitselfdefense.com

Robert Robb Hamic releases guide on how to hire an Albuquerque Private Investigator

Mr. Hamic wrote this guide because he found that many of his Clients contacted him through his Internet advertising and they know that there are many unlicensed, untrained "fake investigators" advertising just the same way. Albuquerque, NM, February 26, 2009 -- Robert (Robb) Hamic has written a helpful guide to hiring a private investigator. "Consumers can be intimidated, confused and frustrated when they are faced with hiring a Private Investigator," says Mr. Hamic. How does a person find the right one? Mr. Hamic wrote this guide because he found that many of his Clients contacted him through his Internet advertising and they know that there are many unlicensed, untrained "fake investigators" advertising just the same way. "Many people are throwing money away and getting scammed by illegal companies and people," says Hamic. Make sure to read below for the most common mistakes in hiring a PI and tips to avoid being scammed. People and corporations hire investigators for many reasons. Individuals hire PI's primarily to document marital infidelity, theft, fraud or find missing loved ones or other people. Many clients seek confidential background checks for reasons such as: dating, pre-marital, relative wanting to protect unsuspecting loved ones or you may just be curious. Businesses hire PI's for a variety of reasons like: employment screening, background checks, internal fraud/ theft, embezzlement, corporate intelligence on competitors, building or personal risk assessments and corporate protection. Hiring a Private Investigator in New Mexico can be difficult and potentially harmful to your objectives. Many of the PI's who advertise on the Internet, Yellowpages, web sites, online directories and other sources are NOT LICENSED with the State of New Mexico. Any person taking money to provide investigative services or information who works in New Mexico is required to have a license issued by the state Private Investigator and Polygraph Board. Unfortunately, the state is aware of this rampant problem but does little if anything to enforce this illegal conduct. Hiring a unlicensed PI is useless and can undermine your objectives. Below, I listed some potential problems associated with hiring an unlicensed and illegal "fake PI." - Your money or retainer fee could get stolen and you have no recourse - Everything you tell this person could be disclosed to anyone against your wishes - This information could be used against you - The results of the investigation could be false - If you hope to use any information obtained in a Court proceeding it will not be allowed because it is wrongfully obtained - You may be liable for the actions of this "fake PI" if he makes bad decisions - Fake PI's have no training and produce poor results - Fake PI's don't have access to the latest database records, tracking methods and high-tech products - Fake PI's hire low paid people to do their work and then the results are even worse It is essential that you verify licensing but more importantly you need to verify experience and dependability of the prospective investigator prior to giving out any information or paying any money. He prepared the following checklist for people thinking about hiring a PI: - verify state license - verify commercial general liability insurance (this protects you if he does something wrong) - verify specific experience in the area you wish to hire him (the PI business is very specialized) - verify training and law enforcement experience of the potential PI (most of us received our basic training in a police department) - verify stability of the PI (does he have an office, a staff and the equipment necessary?) - write down your objectives and what you hope to gain through the investigation and share this with him - ask to look at a sample of his investigative conclusion report (Can this guy write? A investigation is only as good as its report) - ask him if your objectives can be reached through his services - clarify your exceptions - set a definite timetable for events required and the conclusion of the investigation - get a cellular phone number for the PI and make sure he is available for your questions - communicate clearly, hold him to the time table and make sure to get a copy of your report and any other evidence - get a clear understanding of the costs, billing rates and estimated cost of the full investigation prior to paying anything If an investigation client follows the above checklist together with verifying licensing on any prospective company and person then they have a good chance to obtain their desired results. There are many good and qualified PI's and PI companies in New Mexico but there are more that are not licensed, illegal and are not legitimate. Be careful and choose your private investigator wisely. About Robert (Robb) Hamic Robert (Robb) Hamic has been a licensed private investigator for almost nine years in New Mexico. He had law enforcement investigation experience as a Detective with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department in Albuquerque, NM. Mr. Hamic worked as a white-collar crimes (fraud, theft, embezzlement), burglary, street crimes and auto-theft Detective. Robert (Robb) Hamic oversees a large private investigation, security and self-defense firm based in Albuquerque. Summit Security & Investigation is the premier investigation firm in New Mexico. Summit employs many investigators who have diverse backgrounds and experience. They have a tremendous amount of experience in surveillance, marital infidelity (cheating spouse) investigations and child custody (pre-divorce, divorce, post divorce) cases. He have a uncanny ability to find hidden assets. About Summit Security & Investigation Summit Security & Investigation provides private investigation, surveillance, personal and company background checks and marital infidelity investigations in Albuquerque New Mexico and Las Vegas Nevada. Surveillance is the house specialty and Summit can easily provide cover surveillance on anyone, for any reason. Mr. Hamic specializes in long range covert photography, video and audio. Summit and its employees can track people without their knowledge and obtain the information you need.

Contact Summit Security on their website or by e-mail: robb@callsummit.com or at their 24/7 office number 505-255-6063.

An Security Company owner shows businesses how to stay away from scams.

Safeguard your company from those who claim to safeguard your property.

The Security Industry is somewhat confusing to people not regularly involved. Most people do not know the laws that regulate the industry, or the law that regulates the power that Security Guards have. While both are interesting subjects one of the most important aspects of a Security company are the policies in which it acts.

During my involvement with the Security industry I have worked for several security companies. Most good, but several were very unethical. I have conducted interviews with guards of very large companies in which I have heard and seen all sorts of scams. Read on to see if any of this sounds familiar.

The biggest scams are those of licensure and insurance matters, however it does not stop at an administrative level. Many times the scams continue through the duration of the account.

Ghost Hitting as affectionately known by the industry is the practice in which a Security guard either by his own free will or under order of an unethical employer essentially defrauds the consumer by stating he provided a service that was not provided. This occurs when the officers are either too busy, or too lazy to patrol your property. Indications of ghost hitting would be an excessive and unrealistic number of patrols, or contradictory report indicators “Patrolled building 5503 at 04:15. No issues to report” when at 04:01 the Fire Department was on site for a fire in which the building burnt down. Short of GPS tracking which several companies have implemented or plan to implement there is no way to “prove” the notorious scam.

Recently I heard an unconfirmed story of a certain security company who was ghost hitting in Santa Fe. A woman had a medical episode and passed out. The patrol officers who were supposed to be patrolling did not find this woman until 7 hours after she had passed out.

Billing Practices If the guard is on time every day and there has NEVER been an instance of a late guard or a guard that did not show up, quite honestly that is a suspicious practice. Everyone is a few minutes late once in a while and to say otherwise would imply that the guard stationed at your property has never lost track of time, got stuck in a traffic jam, forgot something in which he needed for duty and had to return home. In every company in which I have worked there have been issues of “no call no show” which means the officer scheduled for duty did not show up and did not call in to give notice. In many cases the officer can be replaced with another in a reasonable amount of time; however in some cases the post goes uncovered due to the lack of notice and lack of available officers or their unwillingness to come in on their days off. Are you being billed when no one is there? Are you being billed when the officer is late?

Monetary Sorting: While conducting patrol there will come a time when two calls come in at the same time. I believe this is an excellent way to judge the ethics of a potential firm. If two calls come in at near the same time (say the exact same time) how does the company decide which call to go to first? It is the policy of several companies to respond quickest to the account that pays the most. It is our company policy to respond to calls in the same way that Police do-by priority. We respond to physical fights before we respond to loud music. If the call is the same at both (multiple) properties we respond to the place we are nearest first, most people deem this fair policy. Monetary sorting is bad for you in any case as if you are the highest paying account you will already have multiple officers on site. If you are on a patrol contract it is safe to say that the Security Company has more lucrative accounts than yours.

The trick to dealing with Security companies is simply to be very upfront about your expectations from the beginning. If there are problems with service immediately contact the company and demand correction. Security companies should offer a real solution to your issue or you should take your business elsewhere. Remember that all security companies hire from the same market and there will be problems with service that is not at question. What is at question is how the company will resolve these problems and attempt to prevent them from happening again. I believe within a few years the Security Industry will be policed by electronic tracking devices and look forward to this. Until the transition occurs being alert to your provider’s actions can help to identify common issues that leave your business unprotected.

 

By: Anthony J. Landavazo

Member of OverWatch Security, LLC in Albuquerque, NM

 505-265-0581

http://www.GoOverWatch.com

Latest NM Private Investigator's Board meeting minutes...

These were published on the state website.  It appears that they attempted to address approving security trainers and in-house trainers but couldn't vote because they didn't have a quorum.

CLICK HERE to view.

Their is a meeting scheduled February 24, 2009 at 10:00 AM. The meeting will be held in the Toney Anaya Building, 2nd floor, Rio Grande Conference Room, 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM.

To New Mexico's smaller security companies...

It occurred to me that smaller security companies may not have the resources to complete good background checks on prospective employees who don't already have guard cards.  It is possible that some of these firms have hired some of the wrong people because the applicants used alias information to con their way into a job.

I am willing to do up to 5 free pre-employment background checks for any smaller New Mexico security company.  No questions asked.  Simply e-mail me and tell who you are and what you need.  I will need a copy of the person's employment application to perform the check, which will be completed within a day and returned by fax to your office.  This is a free service and all checks will be completed by my staff.  All information will be confidential.

I notice that around 15% of my firm's new job applicants have criminal records that would exclude them from NM State licensing.  I'm sure that the rest of the industry has the same problems.

Robb Hamic

Summit Security & Investigation

robb@callsummit.com

How will the economic slowdown effect the security industry?

I received this study performed by ASIS, the largest security association in the world.  It was performed by ASIS and details how the economic slowdown will effect the security industry as a whole and the New Mexico Security Industry.

 CLICK HERE to view the study.

I have interacted with many security firm owners in New Mexico who have noticed some impact on their business.  Reduced security budgets for clients employing services, slower collection of account's receivables, court actions to recover overdue invoices, layoff of security employees and general negative economic problems were among the complaints.

Summit Security & Investigation is hiring dependable and qualified officers for all positions at this time.  We have approximately 20 openings as our opportunities continue to expand.  We are an equal opportunity employer but we have strict hiring guidelines.  Strict background checks, drug screening on all applicants and other screening requirements apply to all applicants.

Apply online HERE or come by our Albuquerque Offices located at 2825 Brodbent Parkway NE.  We offer some of the highest starting pay in the industry, benefits and in-house (inexpensive) and cutting edge training.     

NM Security Blog is nearing 100,000 visitors...

Many people visit this blog for different reasons.  The posts on this blog have slowed down as we have all decided to concentrate more on business and our companies.  Authorities have been slow to act on many of New Mexico's most complained about companies and many are surprisingly still in business.  In fact, these "nameless morons" have started a blog where they stay under the shadows of fake names, e-mails, rumors, etc.  It seems all to obvious who is behind this bog.  I have a feeling that this man's computer privileges may soon be taken away when he is taken into custody by law enforcement (again).

Nevertheless, we are still here.  We are still in business, adding clients and servicing the security industry.  I have received a higher number of e-mails lately as people are accumulating additional documentation concerning New Mexico's worst security companies.  Hopefully, we will receive some more funny video soon...

  

Updates...

Albuquerque, NM The following are updated to some of the people/ companies that I have provided information on this blog:

Vital Protective-    Has state and Federal Tax Liens of approximately $200,000 filed in late 2008.    

Legit Security- Starts a new website and uses a picture that I obtained and used for this blog.

The site makes some interesting claims.

Gilbert Baca- Starts a new venture.

As co-owner with Joe Stidham and their wives they transfer a Warranty Deed to Manzano Place LLC on 1-30-09.

    

Business: EMPIRE BUILDING ENVIRONMENTAL SER	Owner:   RENEE GARCIA AND GIL BACA
630 MANZANO NE SUIT B	624  PALM  AV
ALBUQUERQUE, NM  87110	OTHER, CA  91803
(626) 289-8755
Business Start Date: 10/13/2008

    

Top security company owners meet in Albuquerque

Albuquerque, NM-  I met with some owners and managers of New Mexico's top security firms recently in Albuquerque.  We discussed problems with the industry, new proposed security law, RLD and the Attorney General's enforcement of complaints, license violations and laws.

A number of people commented about how there are still many unlicensed security companies operating across the state without any enforcement by RLD.  We noted that man Felons were working as security guards for licensed and unlicensed companies.  We discussed the many complaints that have been submitted to RLD and the apparent and continual non-enforcement of RLD.

We noted that RLD still hasn't posted February's meeting minutes on the state web site and that there is little effort on their part to communicate with the industry or distribute information.  Many companies complained about the long time delay for RLD returning guard cards, PPO or PPO Manager applications.

We seemed to concur that very little has changed in the New Mexico security industry and those of us spending time making complaints, investigating and documenting violations of the law seem to be wasting our time as the state does nothing with the complaints or information anyway.  We decided to keep in touch with each other and wait to see the results of the passage of the new law in this legislative session.  We are hopeful that once RLD has new operating instructions that there will be positive change in this industry.  It seems that RLD is in a "holding pattern" and not working to clean up the industry despite the new RLD administration being in place for over a year.

We noted that there seems to be more unqualified job applicants looking for work with our firms.  We also noted that a number of security businesses are experiencing negative effects of the economy as security consumers scale back their budgets.  We have all noticed a higher level of criminal activity, theft and other increases in crime.  We are concerned that security consumers may expose themselves to liability in the event a crime of violence occurs on their property when they don't have security.  Especially if these consumers previously had security on any given day or time that this crime was to occur.

The overall security market seems to be healthy and most security consumers have not changed their security plans.  Some have increased security requirements to combat the increased incidents of property crime.  Security companies have noticed that their retention levels of good employees has risen and work productivity seems to have increased.  This may be credited to employees wanting to keep good jobs through these tough economic times. 

Albuquerque security- "same stuff- different day..."

It was my goal to make more positive posts on the blog and orient topics of discussion towards the benefit of Albuquerque's security guards and security consumers this year.  Other blog authors and myself have reported on many negative issues and the same people/companies keep coming up.  It gets old.

I usually have one or two really interesting conversations every month from people who are trying to track down information on people/companies who I have exposed or provided information for public consumption.

How many times have we discussed Worker's Compensation insurance?  Doesn't everyone know that it is required by law to protect both the employees and the client of a security company?  I received a call from an attorney who was attempting to collect a very large debt against on of New Mexico's most blogged about companies.  It seems that this firm stopped paying its Worker's Compensation Insurance premiums in October 2008 and the company's policy was canceled by the insurer.  They didn't pay all of the back premiums and there is no insurance in force through this insurance company.

I checked the NM State Worker's Compensation website and it did not show that this company had a policy in force.  Luckily, I still had the WC Bureau Chief's e-mail.  This isn't the first time that she has received a few complaints about this company.  I'm sure that many of the normal readers of this blog can guess the name of this company but I think I will leave you in suspense.

If you are the employee of a company- check out the NM State WC System (CLICK HERE) to verify if your employer has the required policy.  Don't take their word for it.  If the company is not listed then call the WC Enforcement Division and talk to someone in person to verify.  I say again, "Don't take their word for it."  Don't forget that it is a violation of the law not to have Worker's Compensation insurance.

Interestingly enough, this same company is said to have bounced two checks recently....

Some things never change. 

New security/ investigation legislation has been drafted!

I received an e-mail from Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones concerning new security and investigation industry draft legislation for the first session of the 49th Legislature of New Mexico.

RELATING TO LICENSING; ENACTING THE SECURITY GUARD ACT; 

REMOVING CERTAIN REGULATED PERSONS FROM THE PRIVATE 

INVESTIGATIONS ACT; IDENTIFYING REGULATED PERSONS; CREATING THE 

SECURITY GUARD ADVISORY BOARD; CREATING THE SECURITY GUARD 

FUND; PROVIDING LICENSING PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS; 

PROVIDING PENALTIES; PROVIDING FEE LIMITATIONS; PROVIDING FOR A 

TRANSITION PERIOD; AMENDING, REPEALING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF 

THE NMSA 1978; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION

This is a fantastic draft and I think it should be supported.  Please e-mail Ms. Arnold-Jones with any comments:  jearnoldjones@aol.com.

This is a long (61 page) document but it is worth reading.  There are many changes in store for the NM security and investigation industries.

Download 176335.2 (<--click here to download draft legislation)

Items of interest.. Albuquerque security companies may have compliance issues.

Vital Protective Service doesn't have a NM state worker's compensation policy on file.  (CLICK HERE to verify "employer's Insurance Coverage)  

In addition, the State of NM has received a permanent injunction against this company.  This means that it can't operate in the state of New Mexico.  Why is Vital Protective Services still working in Albuquerque, its officers driving around in its silver trucks?

PLAINTIFF	1	SECRETARY TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT
		ATTORNEY: LEWIS J. TERR
D	DEFENDANT	1	VITAL PROTECTIVE SERVICES INC

1/27/2009	CAL: MERITS HEARING
	January 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. (Trailing docket)
	D-101-CV-2008-03217-Secretary, Taxation and Revenue Departme
	vs. Vital Protective Services, Inc., Catherine Garcia Presid
	Merits
	Attorneys: Lewis Terr
01/26/2009	CLS: STIPULATED ORD

How can Vital Protective Services still have an "Active Trade PPO" even though it is forbidden from doing business in the state of NM?

Vital Protective Services

1759

Private Invstgrs & Polygraph

Trade PPO

Active

Albuquerque NM 87154-1877

It no surprise that it doesn't have an active City of Albuquerque Business license.

 
Business Information Details

Business: VITAL PROTECTIVE SERVICES INC	Owner:   VITAL PROTECTIVE SERVICES INC
2901 JUAN TABO BLVD NE STE 115	2901  JUAN TABO  BLVD
ALBUQUERQUE, NM  87112	ALBUQUERQUE, NM  87112
(505) 294-3611
Business Start Date: 2/24/2005

More Information On...	Permit From Date	Permit To Date
BUSINESS REGISTRATION	2/1/2008	1/31/2009

Mesa Detection doesn't have a NM state worker's compensation policy on file in the online state system. (CLICK HERE)

The Casados Group LLC's City Business license has been out of force for more than ten months.

Business: THE CASADOS GROUP LLC	Owner:   DUSHAUN S CASADOS
6821 MONTGOMERY BLVD NE STE H	6821  MONTGOMERY  BLVD
ALBUQUERQUE, NM  87109	ALBUQUERQUE, NM  87109
(505) 830-2541
Business Start Date: 5/15/2007

More Information On...	Permit From Date	Permit To Date
BUSINESS REGISTRATION	5/1/2007	4/30/2008

Doesn't the PI Board have compliance officers now?

Fileberto Baca surrendered his PPO license in October 2008. His criminal trial is pending.

Bobbie McMullin's trial is also pending and he has over 50 criminal charges.

Still no meeting minutes from the last PI Board meeting...

I was curious to see if they made any statements about acting upon any RLD complaints or their ongoing investigations into illegal or unlicensed security companies operating in New Mexico.  The meeting was held on February 4, 2009.

RLD- PI Board News and Information page (CLICK HERE)