Retail crime rises; security firms benefit

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Retail crime rises; security firms benefit

http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2009/01/12/story4.html?ana=e_ph

A downturn in the economy can oftentimes bring out the worst in people, and that includes a rise in shoplifting. But that unfortunate trend is providing an economic boon to the security industry.

Charles Wall, president and CEO of Creative Security Co. Inc. of San Jose, said he anticipates hiring as many as 150 additional people over the next six months to work in on-site security, alarm installation and sales jobs. Wall, a San Jose Police Department veteran, retired in 2002 to start the security firm, which provides on-site and event security, private investigations and background screening. In recent weeks he’s met regularly with retailers who are stepping up security measures in stores.

“We saw a pretty substantial increase in shoplifting during October and November,” Wall said. “In a lot of instances, you see people taking pharmaceutical items for themselves or their kids because they’ve lost jobs and just can’t pay for the stuff anymore. It has been bad in recent months, but there’s no question it’s going to get a lot worse this year.”

Jesse Mahal, manager of Golden State Security and Patrol in Sunnyvale, said his company has also seen an increase in the number of retail clients, though he attributes most of it to the annual increase in retailers’ security needs during the holidays. He also anticipates a rise in shoplifting-related business during the coming year.



Creative Security Co. Inc. President Charles Wall plans to hire as many as 150 people over the next six months to help deal with an increase in demand for on-site security.