Security Companies in Los Angeles and its challenges

Los Angeles has the largest concentration of security companies in the US and security guards outnumber police officers by about 4 to 1. One would think that with rising crime rates and a downward economy the security business should be booming, but on the contrary many security companies are struggling for many reasons

Market entry is fairly easy, because it does not take a big investment, a lot of schooling or experience to open a security company. As long as the applicant has more than one year experience as a guard, passes a simple test and fulfills some other minor requirements he can his own company. That results in a large number of companies, which undercut each other in price. That leads to lower profit margins and obviously less profits.

Lower profits means security officers get paid less and less money is invested in their training and education. The job of a security guard while extremely important for public safety and homeland security has become a job with low status and even lower pay. Security officers are our first line of defense against crime and terrorism. Shopping centers, warehouses, apartment buildings, beaches and even water and power plants are protected by private security officers in Los Angeles. Security guards are everywhere and they are responsible for peace and security in many public places that the police would not have enough manpower to protect.

With the economy deteriorating and violent crime on the rise not one day goes by when you do not read in the newspaper about a security officer being attacked. Security guards put their lives and well being on the line every day. Nevertheless, while society needs them and relies on them for its safety and peace of mind it does not appreciate the job security guards and security companies do every day. Officers are underpaid and do not get the opportunity of advancement, because most companies do not invest in their training and education.

A solution to the problem is simple, but too complicated for legislators in California. Texas has a minimum requirement of three years verifiable work experience as a security guard and one of the years as supervisors for a security company license. That requirement would limit the number of companies in California.  Minimum pay requirements would raise the status and the quality of education security guards must possess. Additionally, companies should be required to provide certain minimum hours of training to security guards in a year.

The above named suggestions would not only improve the lives of security guards and the profit margins of security companies, but more importantly the security and safety of everyone's life. If our security in Los Angeles in large parts relies on private security officers, we should make sure that they are well schooled, experienced and trained. If our lawmakers do not start to comprehend and make necessary changes, we might face a situation one day soon when it is too late.