New Mexico Security Blog by Robb Hamic

Take A Look At The Newest Street Fighting DVD on The Market!

December 11, 2010- Albuquerque, NM-  Robb Hamic and Shane Knaub have released their first street fighting DVD of the year.  FIGHTING- Fast, Scary and Frustrating ™ 2010.  This DVD is packed with 2 hours of 38 fighting fundamentals and fast devastating techniques that work in real fights.  We are excited that two Professional MMA World Title Belt Champions have endorsed our DVD, at its release.  We have a website and it is available for immediate purchase on Pay Pal.  It ships out right away.  Check it out!

CLICK HERE for our website and be one of the first to get this material.  Shane has won the Grapplers Quest Advanced Division and NAGA Advanced and overall divisions multiple times.  He trains with with pro MMA fighters and he grew up fighting.  All of these techniques have held up in real street fights.  Shane trains in Albuquerque at FIT NHB with Tom Vaughn.  If you know me, you know that Shane is a good friend and we put together great material for you.  I train with Shane to update my skills in the United States.  This is a culmination of a lot of hard work.  In HDTV.  Excellent quality.  Ships internationally too.

If You Are Interested In Albuquerque Security And On FaceBook Join Our Page!

Take a look at what our company is doing and follow us on FaceBook by clicking here!  We will post company updates, job openings, opportunities, special discounts for new clients and news from the industry!

See you there!  Click this Link!

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

Why Do Some Security Managers Get Fired Or Resign Under Threat of Termination?

December 8, 2010- Albuquerque, NM-  I have been involved in the security and private investigation business since 1999 and I have seen a lot of strange things.  I have had terminated several key managers for many different reasons and a few have resigned before I could terminate their employment.  I guess it is commonplace in the Albuquerque security industry, not just my company.  I have seen it happen time and time again.  Some companies go out of business from the conduct of some of these managers. How could a promising situation turn bad so quickly?  

Many of these people just got in over their head and were not good managers while others took the power that they received with the management and caused a lot of trouble for the company.  It is a vicious cycle.  Most of these managers were good guards and showed promise but they let the position or title go to their heads.  They often like the prestige that comes with the new position but don't take the job seriously because there is less oversight.  What are some of the re-occurring problems that I see from these former managers?

• Loss of interest in the job, no accountability
• Not answering the phone, lying about work activities
• Conducting personal business on company time
• Having relationships with customers
• Making excuses
• Theft of their employment file
• Mistreatment of guards and problems with scheduling guards too much, too little or with no notice
• Theft of company equipment
• Theft of company money, materials and technology
• Payroll theft
• Mishandling of company business
• Theft of company security accounts 
• Hiding from Child Support Withholding (enforcement has caught up with them)
• Attempt to start a competing security company 
• Disclosure of private company business to competitors
• Filing for unemployment when they work for illegal security companies for cash

What should a company do when they figure out that they are the victim of a bad manager?  Take out the trash.  Terminate the manager and take action against them if they haven't already resigned.  Take it from me, bad managers (who were former friends) turn into enemies really quickly and can do a business a lot of harm.  As business owners, we have a lot invested and know little of what these managers do or have done.  It is important to find out, talk to employees, document theft and find the problems that they have caused.  Figure out what they are doing now and if it is against the law or their employment contract- take the appropriate actions.

I had a bad manager recently who was a big-time liar and caused many problems in the office with his deception.  He lied to customers, employees, me and others.  He was lazy and I started to figure out that he wasn't performing.  I spent some time figuring out what he wasn't doing and I gave him deadlines for accomplishing tasks.  He resigned rather than working through the issues.  It came as a surprise to me and I asked him to stay on, before I discovered how much bad he had done.  

One thing lead to another and I soon discovered that he wasn't really working at all.  I figured out that this manager spent over 53 hours in his last month talking on this company phone with non-company business.  He told his family that he was working when he wasn't just to find excuses to get out of his house.  He even had a liaison with another woman on his wedding anniversary in the name of company business, which it obviously wasn't.  He stole his company file and then bragged about it to people.  Stupid.  I had already made copies of it all.  He went to several of my firm's competitors and divulged confidential information.  He had massive amounts of back child support owed and orders that were withholding through our payroll and he ultimately went to work for a company that paid him cash, under the table and outside of any withholding for taxes or child support.  This was wrong and I found it necessary to report it to the authorities.  In fact, I found it necessary to report all kinds of violations and problems to many different people.  The truth.

As it turns out he went to manage and or co-own another competing security company that was not in compliance with many laws.  They have their own problems but that is none of my business now.

I feel sorry for all of the Albuquerque Security companies that have to deal with the same problems.  This is a common problem but it seems that these people will continue to do the same things unless someone stands up and challenges their bad behavior.  It is actually therapeutic.   

 

Robb Hamic is the owner and operates Summit Security & Investigation® in Albuquerque.  Summit is a leading provider of physical security guards, vehicle patrol, loss prevention, background screening and private investigation.  He wrote a book about getting back and getting even that deals with many of the principals that he discusses in this blog post. 

Negligent Security Officer Is Arrested In Albuquerque

Albuquerque, NM- December 3, 2010- How do you get arrested and charged with 11 felony counts in Albuquerque?  Ask Andrew Ford, a guard with Professional Security in Albuquerque.  I guess they call it negligent security.

UPDATE: CLICK HERE for the criminal complaint..  Download Ford_Criminal_Complaint

I heard a crazy story about Professional Security's guard. Apparently ANDREW FORD, a guard for Professional Security was working on a post at American Legion in Albuquerque. At some point in the night the event he was working got out of hand and as a result the director/person in charge of the legion hall refused to return a deposit made on the hall.

Andrew Ford was allegedly assaulted by one of the patrons, and pursued this man outside of the legion hall. It's unclear of what happened next or why, but apparently Andrew Ford was attacked by 4-5 people, had his baton (a PR-24) taken from him and was being hit with it. At this time Andrew ford "allegedly" drew his firearm from its holster and fired a warning shot into the ground. The assailants ran away.

Apparently Mr. Ford has no idea how to secure a scene, so he retrieved his baton from the ground, and put it in his car. Police arrived and began conducting their investigation. About 45 minutes into it they placed Andrew in handcuffs. It is my understanding that they found the shell casing quite a distance from where they believe the shot was fired.

There seems to be more to this story.. More to come.

Andrew Ford was arrested and charged with 11 felony counts Download Andrew_Ford

NICK PANAGOULAKOS apparently bonded Andrew out of jail.

 

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

 

The Top Reasons to Hire a Security Guard in Albuquerque

I know of at least 5 reasons to hire a security guard in Albuquerque, NM. There are many good reasons to hire a security guard but several stand out for me. I have been involved in the private security industry for the last eleven years and I have seen an amazing amount of ways that people and businesses have used security to save money. There are many misconceptions. Delay can cause more loss or money, safety and expose you to increased liability.

In my experience, most businesses or people hire security after a problem or theft occurs. This reactive approach is not necessarily best. Many problems can be anticipated and should be addressed before liability, injury or theft occurs. Many people see security as an expense that can be cut or saved and in a tight economy it might be the first vendor service to go. If you have determined that security is a good idea or a necessity at this time consider these reasons to hire a security guard.

1. To deter violence to you, your customers or provide a more secure environment. This is a good liability reduction and studies have shown that even in a down economy, customers frequent businesses that have security officers at a higher rate than those that do not.

2. To deter or prevent theft from the business or its employees and customers. This seems obvious but it is often the last thing business owners consider. People don't frequent business where they feel unsafe. If a person's car gets broken into then they will not come back and they will tell their friends. The same goes with employees. Theft from business is sometimes hard to track but with retail stores it is easy. If an audit comes up and there are missing goods then someone has stolen them from you. In the grocery industry, the profit margin is so low that a theft can impact the business on a much bigger scale. Either way, nobody likes to be a victim of theft.

3. To provide an extra presence for safety. This happens a lot during the holidays. Shopping malls, strip malls and events hire extra or temporary security because of increased crowds and increased problems by criminals. A good security guard can deter a lot just with an assertive presence.

4. Because your customers, residents or employees expect it. This is a common occurrence in Albuquerque because crime is so high. Many businesses have historically hired security "just because" they have problems and the patrons of their services have become accustomed to having seeing a guard.

5. A direct threat. This is a growing concern for schools, malls, employers, businesses and people with the spread of social media. FaceBook, Twitter, Myspace and other social networking sites are used to deliver specific threats of violence or bomb threats towards people. These threats must be taken seriously and responsibility falls on the business to take action to prevent the potential harm.

Hiring a responsible and professional security company can change a businesses reputation with consumers and deter problems. It can also enhance customer service, safety and eventually sales through proper implementation.

Robb is the President and Founder of Summit as well as the director of day-to-day operations and management. Robb served in the U.S. Army Infantry during Desert Storm and he is a Service Disabled Veteran. Robb was a Deputy and Detective with the Bernalillo County, New Mexico Sheriff's Department before starting private business in 2000.

Robbs' expertise, level of professionalism, and commitment to moving the bar up a notch in excellance has earned him numerous awards and recognition. Robb is an accomplised author, blogger and security industry advocate.

Summit Security & Investigation, headquarterd in Albuquerque, New Mexico, maintains multiple offices and training facilities throughout the southwestern United States. Summit Security & Investigation is a Service Disabled, Veteran-Owned company. Summit is the leading security service provider in the Southwest 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

Robb Hamic robb@callsummit.com

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

Albuquerque Security Guard: No More UNM Security Rides Off Campus

ALBUQUERQUE, NM {KRQE} - People who rely on university officers to get home safely will have to turn somewhere else. 

UNM police are putting the brakes on the busy program they claim the department just can't afford anymore.“This campus is very safe and very secure,” Lt. Robert Haarhues with UNM Police said. 

The hustle and bustle of UNM's main campus is long gone in the dark of night..

Student Anna Hampton said, “Oh, it's terrifying here late at night.” Amogene Martinez, another student at UNM agreed, “You never know though who is out there, it's kind of scary.”  Women just like these students are the ones taking advantage of the university's service that escorts people to their homes or cars off-campus.

A security officer will normally take the person to an off campus location as long as it's within a few miles of the university...

Haarhues said,.“It's faculty students staff visitors, we will escort anybody that is on campus that needs to go from one location to another.”  Last month alone the security officers gave rides to nearly 225 people, most of them to an off-campus destination. Officials said it only gets busier in the fall and winter.  “As it gets colder they pick up a little bit people don't want to walk in the cold,” Haarhues said. But no more free off-campus rides.  “Right now we are down three security guards,” he said, Haarhues said a lack of staff and a tight budget means the off-campus trips got the ax.

”I think it's a horrible idea,” Martinez said. “I think it's very dangerous and you will see a lot of other crime rates go up.” Hampton said she knows where the school can find the money, by hitting up its football coach.  “Instead they should consider cutting (Mike) Locksley’s budget and putting it into campus security.”  University police will still give people rides to their homes or cars off-campus if there's a concerned about a specific threat.

The new policy goes into affect November 1st.  Security is no longer giving rides to anyone during the daytime, on or off-campus.  They will still give rides to people on-campus, but only in the evening and overnight. 

 

Top 10 Ways Security Guard Companies Rip Off Customers in Albuquerque

November 16, 2010- Albuquerque, NM- I have been involved in the private security and investigation business in New Mexico for the last eleven years.  I have seen and heard a lot from new or old security customers about the actions of the security staff whom they employed.  I employ a large number of guards myself and have may supervisors to keep tabs on them in the field.  I have found there are several top reasons that security consumers become dissatisfied with their security company/ guard.  I have noticed several top ways that security companies commonly deceive and rip off consumers.  Hopefully, this will give consumers some insight into the industry and ways to keep a watchful eye on their guards.

The Top 10 Ways I see security companies being ripped off in the Albuquerque market:

1. Guards not present, especially at night.  This occurs when the client contracts for service and the guard company does not execute.  Sometimes this occurs when a guard is actually scheduled but does not show up, some guards aren't even scheduled but the client is knowingly billed for the work.
2. Guards are asleep, drunk or not performing security on property.  The client's expectation is that the guard is working to prevent theft or make people safe when in reality the guard is in his own personal car, sleeping, talking on the phone, computer or watching a movie.  I have heard about some guards being drunk or under the influence of drugs while on duty.  This is a quality control and supervision problem but it is the security consumer who ultimately pays.
3. Fraud.  Security company lies about performance, vehicle patrol hits and sends false reports.
4. Theft.  Guards actually steal from customers.  This is very common on construction jobs, apartment complexes (laundry room theft) or really anywhere.
5. Unlicensed guards.  This brings a host of problems to a customer.  Licensing is required by the state together with an FBI background check.  No license means the guard could be a felon.
6. Security company has no insurance.  This leaves the consumer without protection in case of litigation.
7. Negligent security guard.  This occurs when a guard does something wrong and the client is liable because they hired the guard or company.
8. Violent security guard.  This causes so many problems and is actually common.  Security officers should be screened, hired under supervision and monitored.  Unfortunately, many are not and they use improper force on innocent people.  Guards often use OC spray (pepper spray), expandable batons, handcuffs and Taser devices when they have no justification under the law.  The state requires state approved training but many guards carry these weapons with no licensing.
9. Security company lies about its experience to get a contract.  The client must check references.
10. The security company or its officers, owners are untruthful.  I can tell you first hand that mistakes happen in security.  Problems arise on a weekly basis and the best way to handle these issues is to report them to the client.  After all, they have the right to know what happens on their property.  Many clients report that they don't think that their security company is truthful with them about serious problems and they try to shift blame to others.  One big problem for vehicle patrol clients is that the company reports more "hits' for the property than they actually did.  The industry term for this is "ghost hitting."

Negligent hiring of security guards and defense of these guard's actions has caused many security consumers lawsuits/ litigation in Albuquerque this year.  Historically, the security client is enjoined into lawsuits together with the security company when it is filed.

Security consumers have many choices for guard companies.  Choose carefully and beware that cheaper prices can sometimes be a red flag.  In Albuquerque, a guard company breaks even when they charge approximately $14 hr. for guard services.  This is no profit, just expense (wage, tax, insurance, supervision, company overhead expenses for that guard).  New Mexico sales tax is 7% of all gross sales.  Consumers can expect to pay $17-20 hr. for guard services depending on the duties for guards.  A dedicated car on the property is expensive and adds cost.  Vehicle patrol is when a guard drives throughout the city patrolling client's properties.  It is reasonable to expect 4-6 "hits" per night for a rate of $500-800 per month.  This is a more cost effective solution however it is an area where security companies lie to clients.  If a company tells you that you can expect 7 or more hits per night, I would be suspicious.  

Do the math.  If you want a guard to spend at least 10-15 minutes on your property for a patrol hit then that is 40-75 minutes for an honest company.  There is drive time between each property and you have to have several properties to break even, maybe as many as 10.  The guard can only work a 10 hour shift so that is a maximum of 600 minutes, with no lunch.  Look at the expenses:

Monthly Costs Associated With Vehicle Patrol

Wages/Tax/ Benefits for Guard ($10 hr.)-       $2500

Car Cost/ Maintenance-                                  $400

Vehicle Insurance                                           $300

Gas (200 miles per night)                               $600 

TOTAL                                                          $3800 per month to break even

I wrote this article to give security consumers some reference on the industry and some of the common problems.  The best thing that a consumer can do, from my perspective, is to interview several companies or go strait for the best.  Don't make a decision based on the cheapest rates because that does not equate to value in security.  Remember that the sales person or owner of your company may not be representative of the actual guard that will do your work.  Request an interview of the guard who will work on your property, demand copies of his state license, training certificates and background check.  Get copies of state license (from the NM Private Investigators Board), insurance and bond.  

About the Author:

Robb Hamic is the managing principal of Summit Security & Investigation®.  This firm provides professional physical security, vehicle patrol, armed/ unarmed guards, investigation, surveillance, background checks and security training.  Summit Security is licensed in New Mexico (#1650, 2114).  Mr. Hamic is written a book about keeping safe and is available for sale on Amazon.com:“Karma’s Helpers”

 

Are You Being Stalked in Albuquerque? A Women’s Survival Guide- Part 1

I first noticed the use of the term stalking when I was a police officer in the 1990’s.  Stalking is an anomaly that seems to be derived from a person’s will to control another.  It has become a serious safety concern for people, especially women and seems to becoming a more serious threat that people recognize.  I have been approached by many stalking victims for help, both in the way of self-defense skill development, recognition/ awareness, vulnerability assessments, investigative services, counter/ anti- stalking activities or plain old protection from the people who would stalk my clients.

Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted, obsessive attention by individuals (and sometimes groups of people) to others. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation. The word "stalking" is used, with some differing meanings, in psychology and psychiatry and also in some legal jurisdictions as a term for a criminal offense. It may also be used to refer to criminal offences or civil wrongs that include conduct which some people consider to be stalking, such as those described in law as "harassment" or similar terms.

In the United States last year, approximately 3.4 million victims reported being stalked.  These are some quick statistics on stalking:

• 3.4 million people over the age of 18 are stalked each year in the United States.
• 3 in 4 stalking victims are stalked by someone they know.
• 30% of stalking victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner.
• 10% of stalking victims are stalked by a stranger.
• Persons aged 18-24 years experience the highest rate of stalking.
• 11% of stalking victims have been stalked for 5 years or more.
• 46% of stalking victims experience at least one unwanted contact per week.
• 1 in 4 victims report being stalked through the use of some form of technology (such as e-mail or instant messaging).
• 10% of victims report being monitored with global positioning systems (GPS), and 8% report being monitored through video or digital cameras, or listening devices.

Many victims of stalking have many negative ramifications of being stalked including loss of their employment.  Last year, 130,000 victims of stalking reported that they lost their jobs or were asked to leave their employment because of being stalked.  Of course, there are many other negative impacts of stalking for victims. 

I have noticed a rise in women who file for divorce being stalked.  This can present many problems for the victims on an ongoing basis.  Children are involved in many of the circumstances and women often resist their reactions to protect themselves in hopes of keeping a “normal” existence for their children.  The man often perpetrates certain actions and the woman acts like nothing is happening around her kids and when the man is present for custody exchange.  These situations present unique problems and require different solutions.

Generally, I recommend certain tactics to deal with stalking and turning the tables on the stalker to stop the criminal’s actions.  Safety of the victim is the first order of business.  The victim might know of actions that are being taken against her while in many cases she won’t know what is being done, based on the man’s attempts to hide the behavior and or using devices to track a victim’s patterns, actions or even recording them in their own home.

Recognition is the first step.   Man women write off their natural survival instincts as “being over cautious or being crazy.”  I like to say that a women’s intuition is perfect and they should always react when they feel something physically as opposed to think it.  If they have a physical reaction to a situation this is not normally a cognitive function that can be explained.  In the end, survival is a primal function and a women’s body is always sensing its environment to survive.  Certain situations or vulnerabilities will cause different responses or thoughts that I recommend that women turn into actual responses.

This is the first of a series of writings on stalking, recognition, prevention, countermeasures, safety, self-defense, survival and re-building of one’s life after the crime of stalking.

About the Author:

Robb Hamic is the managing principal of Summit Security & Investigation® and  Summit Self Defense™.  These companies provide services for anti-stalking, prevention, awareness, self-defense, survival and education.   In fact, Robb Hamic is one of the only people who combine his skill sets to provide women with holistic solutions to their safety in stalking situations.  Mr. Hamic is written a book about this topic and it is available for sale on Amazon.com: “Karma’s Helpers.  Hamic’s guide for getting even.” 

 

Two Plea Deals Will Hopefully End in Jail Sentence for Gil Baca III

Albuquerque, NM- November 11, 2010- One of the Albuquerque's most notorious security company owners is finally at the end of his rope on two of the three open Felony Cases against him in Bernalillo County District Court.  For those of you who don't remember Gil Baca III, he co-owned and operated two of the worst security companies in New Mexico.  He left the business amid ripping off scores of employees by not paying many thousands in back wages to security guards.  He left many creditors and stole over one hundred thousand dollars during the company's last days through theft on their payroll company.  Baca gets sentenced in December 2010 and is still going to trial on one case.  See below:

D-202-CR-201000275          REED S SHEPPARD          01/21/2010 

10/28/2010	PLEA & DISPOSITION AGREEMENT
	FILING PLEA AND DISPOSITION AGREEMENT ON BACA III
	09-5165
10/28/2010	NC/GUILTY PLEA PROCEEDINGS
	FILING GUILTY PLEA PROCEEDINGS ON BACA; PLED NO CONTEST TO
	CT 1; PRE-SENTENCE REPORT ORDERED; PLEA AND DISPOSITION
	AGREEMENT; SENTENCING SET FOR 12-16-10 @ 1:30PM

D-202-CR-200905165 10/27/2009          ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT  

 

10/28/2010	PLEA & DISPOSITION AGREEMENT
	FILING PLEA AND DISPOSITION AGREEMENT ON BACA
	10-275
10/28/2010	NC/GUILTY PLEA PROCEEDINGS
	FILING GUILTY PLEA PROCEEDINGS ON BACA; PLED NO CONTEST TO
	CT 1 & CT 2 & CT 3 & CT 5 & CT 6 & CT 9; PRE-SENTENCE REPORT
	ORDERED; PLEA AND DISPOSITION AGREEMENT; SENTENCING SET FOR
	12-16-10 @ 1:30PM

 

D-202-CR-201000990          CHARLES W BROWN          03/02/2010 

 

11/08/2010	NTC: OF JURY TRIAL				$ 0.00
	FILING NTC: OF JURY TRIAL SET FOR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011 AT
	9:00 AM BEFORE THE HONORABLE CHARLES W. BROWN FOR: JURY
	TRIAL

 

 

 

 

It is impossible to verify if a company is licensed.. in New Mexico

The state Private Investigator's Board Website links to the Pharmacy Board on the NMPI Board website for license verification.  How can a security consumer verify a company's license status?  It can't.  Buyer beware.

CLICK HERE to not verify a company.  Make sure to notice that the news and information was list updated in 2009.  Where do all of our license fees go?

What Is It Like To Be a Security Guard In Albuquerque?

Albuquerque, NM- November 10, 2010-  It is always hard to find a good security guard in Albuquerque New Mexico.  There are several factors that make it difficult to find a good officer for your project, event or building.  The New Mexico Security industry is difficult.  I think that there are many competent and professional guards in the industry in Albuquerque but there is little oversight for officers who choose to overlook their duties.  The job of a security guard is lonely and often times they operate alone and without backup.  In the end, they have only their own ethics and work ethics to guide them.  I have been in the private security business for almost eleven years and I have owned a company for all of it.  I have worked on the streets as a guard and everything in-between.  I am proud of it.

Many guards take their profession very seriously but they can only do so much without good support from the guard company.  This is why many small companies have troubles.  Likewise, very large companies sometimes fall short of monitoring individual guard’s needs or performance in the field.  It is imperative that a professional guard is treated as such and receives good training.  Albuquerque is a dangerous city and each guard needs an effective method to call for help if needed.  Supervision is very important for the client and the individual guard.  Lack of supervision is apparent when the guard doesn’t have direction and seems disinterested in the work.  It is important to have involvement from an actual decision maker in the company both for the guard and the clients.  Leadership by example is vital in the security guard industry.

It can be very boring to be a security guard.  Low pay is a staple of the environment in Albuquerque.  Benefits.  What are benefits in the security industry?  It is rare to find a guard that has company paid health insurance, dental or disability insurance.   Many officers come into the profession as a entry or exit point to law enforcement.   These people are usually a little more motivated than the rest and seek to do a good job without reminder.  I find that people who want a good structure and solid opportunity are drawn to solid companies.  Attention to detail and a good visual presence are apparent in guards that take themselves seriously.  I think that people want opportunity in work and progression.  Guards want advancement in a company and they tend to work harder and in harmony if there is opportunity.  The opposite is true if the company offers little advancement.

I remember working in the office during the day then at whatever accounts we had at night as a security officer.  It was fun to be out and get involved to make a difference but more than not it was a boring and thankless job.  I had to take pride in my own work and I realized that I was the only person who would ultimately check my own work.  Guards find the same true today.  Who will really catch a guard if he takes a nap during a paid shift or isn’t there at all?  Clients hire us to protect their property because they doesn’t want to stay awake all night.  This gives you a good idea of why supervision is so important.

Sometimes payday comes to guards in Albuquerque with bounced paychecks from their employers.  Really.  Why would some people work for companies like this?  The answer escapes me.  There are plenty of good companies out there.  I believe that there are less companies that empower their management to make the right decisions and even fewer companies whose ownership takes an active interest in the administration of the business of security.  Are the owners figureheads?   Do they have real world experience that is relevant and recent?   I am a former Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Deputy/ Detective but I don’t find much parallel in security.  Many security company’s advertise “former law enforcement” as a benefit to clients.  I don’t think that this is always a benefit.  Many police officers who are retiring are not accustomed to working hard and a company’s employees are usually in some part, representative of its owner.  If things aren’t going right in my company I don’t usually have to look too far for the problem.

I find that my clients get much better services with the more time I spend with my officers and supervisors.   They care more when I care more.  They respond to my customers and my guards and management team are the best in the Albuquerque security industry, hands down.  Finding a person that is proud of his/ her job is vital.  If a customer ever gets the impression that the guard doesn’t care then it is probably true.  What do I think about cheap security?  You get what you pay for, sometimes in spades.  Watch out for liability because it is prevalent in the security industry.

I like to see security guards who love their jobs and look forward to the future.  I know I do.

~ Robb Hamic 

I am still around..

I heard that some idiot said that I was working for AKAL Security and that Summit Security was sold.  While it is a good story, it is completely untrue.  The New Mexico Security Industry is still very important to me, my company is not for sale and there is still no Easter bunny.  I am just too busy to blog these days.  Have a nice day.

34 state CCW License Class + Introduction to Combat Focus® Shooting

October 14, 2010- Albuquerque, NM- Summit Self Defense™ is offering large group classes for Concealed handgun Licensing (CHL) in Albuquerque on November 5, 2010.  This class will provide training for students to apply for a 34 state CHL. CCW permit.  The cost can be kept very low due to the large class size but the instructions is superb.  Summit plans to host the same number of large classes per month in these locations.  Summit will be adding Taos New Mexico as a training location starting in December.

This class is open to the public, security guards, military or their families.

The course is a 34 state Concealed Handgun License (CHL) and Introduction to Combat Focus® Shooting.  This course is for individuals who want to obtain their CHL/ CCW Permit training but don’t want to sit in a classroom for many hours listening to an instructor.  Students will receive all instruction on the range and this is a fun and fast paced course.  Each student will receive a Florida CHL License certificate, which is good in 34 states (New Mexico).  The processing time for new licenses is only 3 weeks (New Mexico may take as long as 6 months) and the permit is good for 7 years.  In addition students will have an introduction to Combat Focus® Shooting and its efficiency in dynamic critical incidents.

Robb Hamic, CLET, CPOI-  http://www.robbhamic.com is the Chief Instructor for Summit Self Defense™ and is to teach CHL/ CCW in many US states.  He is a Certified Combat Focus Shooting Instructor and teaches law enforcement, military and people at an international level.

 
Ryan Fellows- http://www.summitselfdefense.com/aboutselfdefense.htm is a partner in Summit Self Defense™ and based in Albuquerque.  He is a CHL/ CCW instructor and he teaches to law enforcement and people at a national level.Combat Focus® Shooting is an intuitive shooting program designed to help the student become a more efficient shooter in the context of a Dynamic Critical Incident. This is not a marksmanship course, nor is it designed to accentuate skills that only work well on a square range in front of paper targets.

For decades, combat shooters have known (and progressive trainers have acknowledged) that the human body and mind have predictable, instinctive responses to surprise and lethal threats. While the basics of weapons handling and marksmanship are important skills for all shooters, they are not the basis for success during most lethal encounters involving the defensive use of a handgun. You are much more likely to be caught off-guard by an aggressive attacker in close quarters and low-light.  

Many CHL/ CCW classes stress only the theory of a violent encounter and give students the opportunity to shoot 25 rounds under no stress at the range.  Summit's course provides for students to shoot continuously and will entail a minimum 400 round count for the course.  This class is really designed for anyone who wants to learn how to use a gun for defensive shooting purposes.

Cost:

$300 + Ammunition + $16 range fee + sales tax (prepayment required)

Contact/ RSVP:

Robb Hamic- robb@summitselfdefense.com or 512-284-0087

Ryan Fellows- ryan@summitselfdefense.com or 505-463-7820