NO. 1 2010 - Securitas

Securitas USA Officers
Louis Sitzman [left] and
Alan Perry regularly conduct
perimeter patrols of the
Liberty Center complex.
16
securitas solutions
specialized instruction on dealing
with protesters and reporting
potential terrorist activity.
long days
Securitas USA provided 4,200
additional hours of service to 23
Pittsburgh-area clients during
the G-20 Summit. Because of
the need for additional coverage
and the uncertainty of whether
they could commute to and
from their worksites, officers
planned to work 12-hour shifts.
“Our officers at some locations
prepared to stay through the entire
two-day period, if necessary,”
says Glaze. “Clients helped with
arrangements, and we delivered
‘emergency kits’ of food, water
and other necessities to the sites.”
In the downtown “red zone” area,
Securitas USA officers provided
access control and patrol services
at the Liberty Center, a Forest City
Enterprises property comprised
of a 27-floor high-rise commercial
building, a 27-story Westin hotel
where several international delegations
stayed, and a concourse
of retail shops. Access to the
commercial buildings was limited
to one entrance, and parking
garages and perimeter areas
of the complex were patrolled
around-the-clock. Securitas USA
control room officers continuously
monitored the loading docks,
HVAC and fire systems.
“Despite transportation difficulties,
all the officers arrived on
time and with a great attitude,”
Williams says. “Everyone worked
together to help ensure the safety
of our building and tenants.”
At Verizon’s downtown location,
the Securitas USA team that
provides building entry services at
the high-rise building was supplemented
with additional officers
who strictly controlled access and
hand-checked all ID badges and
packages. Ground-floor windows
of the building were covered with
plywood and access was restricted
to one entrance.
“All of the Securitas USA officers
knew their roles and were
vigilant,” says Gene Verdino,
Verizon’s manager of security,
who is responsible for guard
services. “They helped provide
additional protection that we
needed on short notice, and
we had no incidents.”
In the middle of the action were
four Securitas USA officers
embedded with KDKA-TV
film crews during the Summit
week. Officers traveled with the