As personal and property crime rises all over the United States, the public demands more action from local law enforcement. So do the country’s business communities, which the National Retail Federation reports not only have lost an estimated $112.1 billion in 2022 due to smash-and-grab raids and other incidents of theft or malicious property damage, but also are concerned about the safety of their employees endangered by such crimes. According to the chief security officers (CSO) of many corporations—or those in equivalent positions—who were anonymously surveyed in Allied Universal’s 2023 World Security Report, crime in their buildings and business locations is a grave concern.

Commissioned by Allied Universal® Security Services, a global provider of private security personnel and solutions, the report offers a groundbreaking look at the concerns of 1,775 CSOs about the internal and external security threats they faced in the last year and what they expect to see in the next 12 months.

Though the scope of the survey is global, the threats it identifies are indicative of problems that are currently evolving and as such can be seen as an indicator of future public safety challenges in the United States. The threats described in the report’s North America section are a serious concern of local law enforcement, whose duties are to ensure the safety of everybody who lives, works, and visits their communities.

Public/Private Security Partnerships: A Force Multiplier for Local Law Enforcement

The most effective way to accomplish this is through community policing, which is based upon collaboration with all members of the public. In the case of the business community, this includes not only police engagement with local business leaders but also working relationships with the private security personnel who keep a watchful eye over the facilities, people, and activities whose safety they are entrusted with.

As additional ears and eyes on their own and surrounding properties, private security personnel can provide local law enforcement with valuable information for investigations and advance warnings for preventive actions, as well as immediate response to emergency situations.

In addition to information sharing, they may be able to collaborate on training and even participate in some collaborative operations. According to Allied Universal’s Vice President of Communications, Lori Olin, and Chief Communications and Investor Relations Officer, Lasse Glassen, private security guards are often veterans or retired or off-duty police officers themselves. They also state that Allied Universal’s security professionals are trained in procedures that include de-escalation techniques, respect for cultural diversity, and customer service. As such, they and similarly trained security personnel from other private security companies can be valuable force multipliers. Moreover, the report indicates that the concerns of many businesses have prompted large investments in security technology and communications, which can also benefit local law enforcement in efforts that involve intelligence gathering.

A full copy of the report, along with various collateral documents, interactive infographics and related videos is available at World Security Report 2023.

Faye C. Elkins
Sr. Technical Writer
COPS Office

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