NO. 2 2011 - Securitas

An Update on NASCO
It is the mission of the National Association of Security Companies
(NASCO) to promote standards and professionalism for private security
officers within the contract security industry. NASCO is the nation’s
largest contract security trade association and it represents private
security companies that employ more than 250,000 of the nation’s
most highly trained security officers serving every business sector.
In May 2011, NASCO held its annual D.C. Summit to discuss the most
pressing issues facing the private security industry and to hear an
update on federal and state legislative issues that affect the industry.
Jim McNulty, (pictured above) executive vice president, Securitas
Security Services USA, serves as chairman of NASCO, and welcomed
the attendees, “As security industry leaders and NASCO members, it
is important to meet to keep abreast of the regulatory and legislative
issues that affect our industry. Collectively we are helping to improve
training and screening standards while increasing the professionalism
of the security industry.”
Attendees heard from Bill Miller, senior vice president and National
Political director with the U.S. Chamber, who gave a preview of the
2012 election and a perspective on key House and Senate races.
Douglas Smith, assistant secretary, Department of Homeland Security,
spoke about the partnership between Homeland Security and private
security and asked for help on spreading the news about the Department’s
current “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign.
(See sidebar for ways you can help.)
Other highlights included labor and employment presentations from
Glenn Spencer, executive director, Workforce Freedom Initiative,
U. S. Chamber, who spoke about federal labor and employment issues
coming from the National Labor Relations Board. Steve Amitay,
NASCO’s Federal Legislative Counsel, commented on pending legislation
affecting the industry. Barry Bradley, managing partner of Bradley
and Gmelich, discussed wage/hour and employment law trends in
California and their potential impact on other states.
At the close of the information-packed two-day meeting, it was clear
that NASCO is the voice of contract security as it advocates views and
concerns to Congress, federal agencies, state legislators, the courts
and the public. ¡
The “if you see something, say something”
campaign was first introduced by Department of
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in
July of 2010 and has gained significantly more
recognition since then.
This public awareness campaign, originally introduced
by New York’s Metropolitan Transportation
Authority, underscores the basic belief that homeland
security begins with ‘hometown security’ and
that all citizens can play a key role in keeping our
nation and its infrastructure safe. The public is asked
to report suspicious behaviors and situations (e.g.,
backpacks left unattended, packages left in remote
locations, etc.) to local law enforcement authorities
or by calling 911.
To date, the program has been launched by Amtrak,
the general aviation community, the American Hotel
and Lodging Association, all federal buildings across
the country protected by the Federal Protective
Service, large retailers such as the Mall of America
and Walmart, and the NFL, NBA and NCAA.
For private security companies, this initiative is
particularly relevant since it can be directly linked to
a responsibility of security officers to “Observe and
Report.” Some tips on keeping a watchful eye include
the following:
Watch for:
y packages that contain attached batteries, wires,
cell phones, or notes.
y suspicious behavior such as individuals who
abandon a package, and then hastily depart.
y packages that emit a suspicious cloud, mist,
gas or odor.
y someone trying to enter a restricted area.
A critical element of the program is to be sure that
civil rights are not diminished by these efforts to
report suspicious activities. “if you see something,
say something” is based on observed behavior,
rather than appearance, beliefs, thoughts, ideas and
expressions of individuals.
If you are interested in implementing the “if you see
something, say something” campaign at your
organization, or would simply like more information
about the program, visit: www.dhs.gov and click on
Hometown Security. ¡
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