News Blog
East Salinas Business Association Finds Success With Private Security
February 28, 2013
The Salinas United Business Association has contracted a private security patrol to assist the storeowners of East Salinas.
The association, which serves more than 700 businesses, hired Crime Stopper Services, a Salinas-based security firm, to patrol their district 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
The expansion comes after the success of another private security organization hired last November, says David Brown, president of SUBA.
“Before we had security we were having armed robberies it seemed like all the time,” Brown says. “But after we had security the robberies have subsequently dropped off—actually they seem to have moved to other areas of town.”
SUBA opted to keep using private security when Crime Stopper Services offered them a good deal, Brown says.
The private security patrol is meant to help prevent crime and to assist business owners with matters police might not be able to handle or respond to quickly. Some businesses are worried about suspicious behavior, but might not be able to get the attention of the thinly-stretched police department right away, Brown says. The security firm would help analyze the situation and keep watch, or call the cops if need be.
Salinas is facing a severe shortage of police officers, a fact highlighted at a recent community meeting by Police Chief Kelly McMillin.
At least one vehicle will be patrolling the area at all times, says Maria Carrasco, owner of the security company.
Crime Stopper Services works in Salinas and other parts of Monterey County, as well as in Santa Cruz County, Carrasco says. Its contract with SUBA is for one year.
“Crime is the number one concern,” Brown says. “That’s what we’re trying to work on.”
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