New Mexico Security Blog by Robb Hamic

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Some Security Companies In Albuquerque Don't Have Insurance- Beware!

December 10, 2010- Albuerxuque, NM- One of the most common mistakes that security consumers make is not to verify that their security company is licensed and insured.  Many security companies pass off fake insurance certificates and licenses.  Many use city business licenses and not actual state required licenses.  Many Albuquerque security companies don't have commercial general liability insurance or worker's compensation insurance.

Why does it matter?  If you contract with an uninsured security company then guess who is getting sued?  You.  If the security company is negligent in its work then you will probably get sued anyway but at least you should be defended by the security company's insurance IF you require an additionally insured certificate.  No worker's compensation causes you to be responsible for any injuries to any employee that is on your property.  Do you want that hassle?

Below you can see what an actual insurance certificate looks like for General Liability, Vehicle and Worker's Compensation Insurance.  Don't forget that policies are issues yearly and have to be renewed.  There are no policies that are issued for more than one year so if you see that there is a two ear policy then you know it is probably a fraud.  New insurance policies take over when the old ones expire and it is your responsibility to ask for an updated insurance card.

A good copy of my state licenses for security (PPO) and Private Investigations (PI) is also listed below.  You always want to make sure that you get licensed companies otherwise you are breaking the law yourself.  Licensed companies are screened by the state and it is required for the owners to be FBI background checked as well as all employees.  Each guard will be issued a state ID Card.  Each guard (Level 1,2,3) is required a certain amount of training by law and must receive it before carrying any weapons, handcuffs or guns.  You are liable if the security company doesn't have the proper employees licensed.  You are liable for all of their actions so make sure that you choose carefully and verify all of the guards, their training and experience before you let them on your property.  Make sure they are doing security work and not watching movies, sleeping or on Face Book.  You would be surprised at how many guards and security companies just don't care.

 

 

 

 

If you have any questions please contact me.  My firm, Summit Security & Investigation® provides professional security and investigation services 24/7 in Albuquerque.  We provide services to clients on a permanent basis or temporary, on-call or emergency.  We answer our phones 24/7.  Call us if you need help: 505-255-6063.

To Verify Worker's Compensation- Click This Link

To Verify State License- Click This Link

To Get Security or Investigation 24/7- Click This Link

The Top 5 Reasons To Fire Your Albuquerque Security Company

November 29, 2010- Albuquerque, NM-  I have been in the private security business for eleven years and I have seen a lot of crazy things come out of the Albuquerque industry.  There are good reasons to hire a security company/ guard and there are certainly many good reasons to terminate their services immediately.  Here are my top five.

1. 1.  Security Guard or Company is untruthful about ANYTHING.   A security consumer has to trust its security company and the guards who spend time on the property.  Security is responsible for property, inventory, damage, theft, crime prevention, loss prevention and providing responsible service to the client.  There is NO ROOM in this business for 1/2 truths, lies or no response.  If you are getting any of this from your current provider you may want to consider switching companies.
2. Poor Performance.  Guards are paid to be on time, working hard and diligent.  They are not your employees and customers shouldn't have to supervise their work.  This is the job of the security company.  Customers shouldn't have to notify the company of a guard not "working out."  Professional companies hire the right people and provide internal oversight.  If you have a guard that is lazy, shows up late or doesn't do a good job this is a good reason to terminate the services of your security provider.
3. A Guard No-Show.  This is inexcusable.  It is the security company's responsibility to responsibly schedule guards and verify that they will be at work.  Furthermore, it is also the company's responsibility to ensure that they show up on time.  It is common for guards not to show up, call off with little or no notice or quit without notice.  It happens in the industry.  A good security guard company will have redundancies in place to ensure that your post does not go uncovered and that your guard is actually there.  If they are not responsive in this manner, get rid of them!
4. Ineffective at Deterring Crime.  We hire guards to deter crime.  If they can't do this part of their job you are probably better with no guard service.  It would certainly be cheaper for the client.  I have taken over many security accounts because the former security company had ineffective guards that could not stop crime.  Selection and training of guards is important and placing guards with experience in stopping crime is paramount if you are hiring a company for that reason.  Not all guards are created equal.  Think about it.
5. Billing Discrepancies.  If you security company doesn't not send you an accurate invoice then there are problems.  If the company doesn't even know how many hours a guard was on the property then how would they be responsible to ensure that supervision was performed or the job was well done.  If your security company can't bill you correctly then I would say that is a good reason to find another one.

It is not uncommon for customers to switch security companies and that is OK.  Security in Albuquerque is complicated and you must ensure that you have a good, honest working relationship with your security partner.  We all know when we are being lied to or receiving excuses.  I don't give them and I don't expect to take an excuse from a security provider.  Consumers pay a lot of money to a security company and they deserve the service that was contracted.  Good luck.

Summit Security & Investigation®, headquarterd in Albuquerque, New Mexico, maintains multiple offices and training facilities throughout the southwestern United States. Summit Security & Investigation is a LOCAL Service Disabled, Veteran-Owned company. Summit is the leading security service provider in Albuquerque offering armed and unarmed security officers, mobile patrol services, investigations, training, and loss prevention services to local and federal governments, industrial and manufacturing facilities, commercial properties, residential communities, retail establishments as well as private individuals.   For immediate service please contact us 24/7.  This phone is answered by a live person, every time.. 505-255-6063

Robb Hamic robb@callsummit.com

 http://www.callsummit.com/aboutsummitsecurity.htm