Albuquerque, NM- October 9, 2009- I have been looking around at any information present, e-mails received, the PI Board website and the news so that I could get a feel for the state of the New Mexico security industry. Unfortunately, I haven't found much new to report.
The Superintended of RLD stated that the Attorney General was investigating several security companies in previous interviews. There is no information about any of the conclusions of the investigations and it seems that all of the 'same old' companies are still around. Many of them are unlicensed together with their employees.
In reviewing the PI Board's Meeting Minutes, I see that a few Notices of Contemplated Action (NCA) were sent out but there is no information about what or who it addressed. This might be good for the public to know.
The news media has aired several reports on unlicensed or illegal companies in the last few weeks. I assume there will be more to come as soon as a Grand Jury or two finally releases its findings. There still seems to be a lot of fishy things going on in the industry.
One question I have to the PI Board is how can you issue licenses to companies who lie on their applications? It seems like a simple disqualifier. I have seen a couple approved where there were obvious misrepresentations and licenses were still issued. In addition, I am aware of at least one investigation conducted by the Board that verified some of these issues and the PPO license was still issued.
Why have rules, regulations and laws together with a Board that doesn't enforce anything? Seriously.
The New Board Administrator's number is as follows:
Anita Villegas, Board Administrator
(505) 476-4762
I think the simple answer to my post is: NOTHING. From my perspective, this is frustrating because fees are going up, Level 3 guards will soon be required to get psychological testing that Board Members say will cost $250-300 per employee. CLICK HERE to look at the boards Meeting minutes. It continues to cost more for the licensed and legitimate companies to stay in business, while our unlicensed competitors remain unchecked in the marketplace.
Example: Craigslist- filled with suspicious 'companies.' One listing looks suspiciously like Gil Baca and his latest 'title..' Watch yourself if you are looking for a job in security.
Example: Craigslist/ Albuquerque Journal (this week). Who is qualifying Securitas for their PPO or PPOM as it is obvious that they are looking for a new manager? This is just a question I had as a reader.
Example: Some licensed security guard companies racking up judgements/ liens from NM Workforce Solutions every quarter for unpaid wages. Why are these companies allowed to stay in business when the state knows that they have a pattern and practice for continually not paying their employees in Albuquerque? Curious? Check out your company. Just click this link and enter their company name under the "both' field..
We need to educate security consumers, as well.
Is there no down side for a client who contracts for security services from a company that is unlicensed, whose officers are untrained and/or unregistered with the state? It seems to me, if licensing information is readily available, a client could be held willfully negligent for damages or injuries caused or abetted by their below-the-bar contract security. There is also potential for grave damage to a client's reputation and brand.
Today it is easy and inexpensive for clients and security officers to perform preliminary background checks on security companies and individuals, through the SEC's Edgar database, Justia court records, Intelius (!), and the state's RLD.
Thanks for keeping up the pressure.
Posted by: Brettski | October 09, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Nobody cares Rob. Why do you waste your time?
Posted by: Disgusted | October 28, 2009 at 11:50 AM