New Mexico Security Blog by Robb Hamic

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Look below for many updates, news stories and security industry information.

Gil Baca gets a bond amount. Anyone want to loan him $50,000 cash to get out of jail?

Albuquerque, NM- December 16, 2009- The judge heard his excuse in the hearing yesterday and slapped him down with a bond of $50,000 CASH ONLY.  This is the equivalent of $500,000 bail. Wow.  I guess she wasn't buying into his bla, bla, bla..  Gil Baca remains in jail today.

Case Number: CR 095165 Bond Amount: $50000 Bond Description: CASH ONLY

New Mexico is the wild west.. The security industry gets no oversight by RLD, as usual..

December 15, 2009- Albuquerque, NM- I started this blog over 20 months ago.  I comprises well over one million words and I don't know how many posts I have done about illegal activity.  This industry is regulated by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Division, Private Investigation Board.  We all know that by now but who and where are they?  Does anyone else think it is a disgrace that openly illegal companies can advertise on Internet Directories, the Yellowpages and flaunt the fact that they are unlicensed (many of their guards are criminals) and after 20 months of having complaints and constructive notice- RLD continues to do nothing substantial to protect New Mexico?  I will list the standard Directory links for people to see the trash that is advertising as licensed security services.. (take a look at Dragon Security Services.. LOL) It is a waste of time to make individual complaints against these firms as the PI board never does anything.  It usually takes law enforcement getting involved to solve anything.  

I found these comments about RLD in a news story that was done about the New Mexico Security industry. It is obvious what the public sentiment is..

Kelly O’Donnell states that only one person is complaining? Hello! Every licensed PPO operator in this state is mad as hell at her absolute and complete refusal to DO HER JOB. As PPO operators, we jump through every single regulatory hoop they can dream up. We pay out thousands in insurance - both workers comp and liability. We remit our GRT to the state every month, often before our customers pay us.

All we ask is that Kelly do her job... the job we as taxpayers fund so that we are not competing with unlicensed and unregulated companies that are not paying their workers comp, 941's and GRT. Is that too much to ask? How many millions of dollars in state revenue is Kelly willing to piss away on unlicensed companies so she can pretend she's working?posted by Sanddog on 5/24/09 @ 11:31 p.m

How to build a strong Security staff..

Albuquerque, NM- December 15, 2009- I noticed this article in a leading association magazine and I thought I should publish it because it would be helpful to smaller security firms or security consumers so they understand more about staffing.

Security Management Magazine(12/01/09) Vol. 53, No. 12, P. 92; Albert, Philip

Hospital security manager Philip Albert offers a strategy for hiring, training, and keeping a solid security staff. He writes that "the security department will not hire anyone who does not meet its strict baseline requirements," and "to help achieve these hiring objectives, the department has a dedicated recruiting and training manager." Albert says the organization also attracts and retains security officer candidates by offering a good compensation package. 

Applicants are subjected to three interviews--one on the telephone with human resources, one on-site with a panel of employees, and a final interview with the director of public safety. New hires attend a two- to three-week in-house class, as well as organizational orientation and hospital-specific training. In addition, there are skill-specific training programs at local community colleges, covering subjects that include self-defense, handcuffing, defensive driving, and bike patrol instruction. 

Once training is completed, new security staff are placed on a 12-month probationary period, under constant monitoring by supervisors. Retention strategies that Albert mentions include promotion from within the ranks and an awards program that honors staff for specific acts above and beyond the call of duty.

 

Gil Baca has a hearing in front of Judge Denise Barela- Sheppard

Albuquerque, NM- December 15, 2009- Gil Baca has a hearing today in front of District Court Judge Denise Barela- Sheppard in the Second Judicial District Court at 4th/ Lomas at 1:30PM.

It is presumably a hearing on his recent revocation that came in the wake of another one of his lies.  The judge didn't stand for it and threw him in jail.  A source told me that this hearing may involve some other issues.  It may be worth watching and I am sure that there are plenty of people who miss Mr. Baca and want to see him..

A good Albuquerque Security Guard can be an asset and a bad one can ruin your day..

 Albuquerque, NM- December 14, 2009- An Albuquerque Security Guard can be an asset to your project or ruin your day and expose you and your property to unnecessary liability. If you make a bad choice, it could cost you more than just a few thousands. If you need dependable security for a permanent contract or a temporary event, make sure you hire a dependable company to provide those services.

In 2009, many Albuquerque clients were sued in court due to the negligence of security guards, the guards lack of training and sometimes lack of common sense. "This is a disturbing trend in the Albuquerque industry as many clients are taking the low bid for security services and not checking a prospective company's references, licensing, insurance and guard training," says Robb Hamic, President of Summit Security & Investigation http://www.callsummit.com. "There are many companies operating right now without licensing, background checks for their guards or even in violation of State restraining orders preventing the company from providing security in New Mexico, believe it or not" he says.

Robb Hamic http://www.robbhamic.com is an industry professional with ten years experience in the security/ investigation industry. Prior to starting a security/ investigation firm he was a Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputy and Detective. His wife was also a Deputy and started they the security business so that they could send more time together and make a good living for their family. Summit now employees over sixty full-time employees (sometimes up to 100) and has a professional and reliable supervisory staff who have all been with the company for three or more years. "I am really proud of my staff and they are the backbone of my business. I find that my management staff interacts with my clients in the same manner that I do- and that says a lot," says Robb Hamic. Expect the best and you won't be disappointed with Summit.

Robb Hamic publishes the New Mexico Security Blog, http://www.newmexicosecurityblog.com which has become an industry watchdog for illegal and unlicensed activity in the Albuquerque area. Many of the companies that Mr. Hamic has reported have been exposed to legal enforcement procedures, arrest of the company owners or managers and the Blog has done a good job of informing the public of this illicit behavior. "It still surprises me that there are so many illegal companies with felons working in security who advertise on the Internet or Yellowpages but that is why the New Mexico Security Blog keeps watch over the industry," says Hamic.

Security consumers should look for a proven record of the security company providing services to similar clients and to the scale of the project being bid upon. Clients should be conscious that the person selling the account will not be the same person providing the services. Check on the standards of the person who actually provides the services at your location and make sure there is a good fit with your customer service. All guards must be state licensed prior to working as a guard, have state licensed training, pass a FBI background check and should also look presentable. If the guard carries any weapons or handcuffs, she must first also receive a state license to carry those items including a gun. Summit Security operates a full service law enforcement training facility in-house and trains all of its own guards. It also provides training for several other professional security companies in the Metro area. "The best advice I can offer to security consumers is to do your research, check references and trust your instincts. Don't save a few hundred dollars only to expose yourself to many thousands of dollars in liability for sub-standard service,' says Robb Hamic.

E-mail or call with any questions, anytime.

Robb Hamic: "We were all right, time and time again. It just took some time."

December 14, 2009- Albuquerque, NM- Robb Hamic has been blogging about illegitimate security companies in New Mexico since May of 2008.  One of the most notorious companies was Legit Security, directed by Gil Baca.  Robb had a lot of help along the way from security professionals and people who had been wronged by Baca, his employees, partners and company.  Baca and his cohorts denied all of the endless charges and evidence and often claimed that all of it was fabricated by Robb Hamic for some unknown reason, which was untrue and false.  Baca called upon God to stop all of the blogging that ensued about him and his company.  He even started his own blog and openly told all of his employees about it.  He cites rumor and threats but provided no real information about anything.  He used his blog (which stopped being published November 24, 2009) to redirect blame and his own shame towards Robb Hamic by making up lies.  You see, Baca is a criminal and that is what they do.  Today, he is sitting in a cold cell in the Albuquerque Metro Detention Center because on top of being charged with 77 felony counts (facing 102 years in prison), he violated the terms of his release and bond.  He has been in jail for over two weeks now and there is no telling when and if he will ever get out. 

Why did Robb Hamic blog about Gil Baca?  He is a crook.   Plain and simple.  Robb got threats, harassment, false things said about him and even numerous death threats.. What is the history of Baca's crimes?  Take a look at some of the links below for some reference and make sure to look at the date.

Blog 1- May 2009

Blog 2- Taos News "Legit is not Legit"

Blog 3- KRQE's story on Legit/ Baca (one of them)

Blog 4- Santa Fe Reporter's take on Legit/ Baca/ Stidham (one of them)

Blog 5- 770 KKOB's Peter St. Cyr has always been first with stories on Baca/ Legit

Blog 6- KOB Channel 4 has been following Baca/ Legit for sometime too

Blog 7- I gave Baca some good advice but he didn't take it.. LOL

Legit Security's index page for many blog posts..

Gil Baca is in jail now..

December 13, 2009- Albuquerque, NM- Apparently Gil Baca has been in jail since November 30, 2009. Below, find the conditions of his release after his indictment. Something must've happened.. I know this won't hirt many people's feelings that were ripped off by this crook. Hopefully, they took away his computer and ability to blog from his jail cell..

11/30/2009	ORD: ORDER
	FILING REMAND ORDER ON BACA; REMANDED MDC; NO BOND HOLD;
11/13/2009	ORD: CONDITIONS OF RELEASE
	FILING ORDER SETTING CONDITIONS OF RELEASE ON BACA; ROR;
	NOT TO POSSESS OR CONSUME ALCOHOL/RUGS; NOT TO HAVE ANY
	CONTACT WITH GANGS/MEMBERS; NO CONTACT WITH VICTIM; NO
	DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID NM DRIVERS LICENSE; IGNITION INTER-
	LOCK; COMPLY WITH PRETRIAL SERVICES; NOT TO BE ENGAGED IN
	ANY BOOK KEEPING FUNCTION WITH ANY SECURITY FIRM
11/13/2009	ORD: ORDER
	FILING REMAND ORDER ON BACA; BOOKING PURPOSES; WITHIN
	2 WEEKS
11/13/2009	MEMORANDUM OF ARRAIGNMENT
	FILING ARRAIGNMENT PROCEEDINGS ON BACA; NOT GUILTY; RELEASED
	ON OWN RECOGNIZANCE; AND PRE-TRIAL SERVICES

Take a look at the Metro Detention Center's in custody search yourself.. No bond hold.. I guess he is not fooling this judge.

Gil Baca is in jail.. LOL.

BACA, GILBERT CHRISTOPHER

100138937

130575067

3/15/1975

34

Male

Hispanic

11/30/2009 5:57:20 PM

6

D UNIT POD 4

Studies show that there are few security jobs available in Albuquerque

December 13, 2009- Albuquerque, NM-  I completed a search of the normal places that a person goes to look for a job: Albuquerque Journal, Craigslist, employment journals, classifieds and I only counted 4 positions available for guards in all of the sources.  It is obvious that the New mexico Security industry is in a recession and that there is little work available.  Many guard's unemployment benefits who were laid off are running out.  If you are out of work and looking for a job- what should you do?

1. Be smarter, faster and better. I wish I could offer you a magic piece of advice about job hunting and working in a bad economy, a piece of wisdom that I’ve been saving for this type of situation. However, my best advice is to use all of the same job hunting and career management tips I always advise, but do them smarter, faster and better.

Being smarter, faster and better means:

• Updating your resume to include examples of how you thrive in challenging times, how you excel at stretching a budget, how you can bring in new clients and new revenue right away.
• Making 5 calls a day to networking contacts, rather than making 5 a week.
• Attending one networking event a week, rather than one a month.
• Following up immediately after you meet someone or learn of an opportunity. Return calls right away, send a thank you email the same day you have an interview, send in a resume as soon as you learn of an opportunity.

In any situation, ask yourself, “What would be the smartest, fastest and best way to handle this situation?” and do just that.

2. Try new strategies. We all get into ruts — going to the same networking events, talking to the same people at our association meetings, setting up the same keywords on the same employment websites, writing the same phrases in every cover letter.

STOP!

The same old stuff will no longer cut it. As Albert Einstein said, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.To get a job in a bad economy, you have to cast a wider net and be more creative than ever.  Look for jobs at small companies if you’ve always worked for big corporations (and vice versa).

3. Find ways to make some extra money so you aren’t desperate and panicky. Potential employers can smell desperation and it isn’t attractive. If you are totally stressed out about paying the rent, you won’t be in the best frame of mind to conduct a proactive job search. 

4. Move to a city with jobs. If you’ve been thinking about relocating, you might want to consider a place that is thriving despite the economic downturn. BusinessWeek.com has a list of the best places in the U.S. to “ride out the recession.” I don’t necessarily advise uprooting yourself for the potential of a good job, but if you’ve been thinking about moving anyway or have some very strong leads in a thriving city, it could be a smart decision right now.

5. Move to an industry sector with jobs. If you don’t want to move to a new city, pay attention to the industries theBusinessWeek.com article highlights as growing: healthcare, education, law, energy and government. HRWorld offers its own list of top 25 careers to pursue in a recession and Career Hub shares a ranking of 72 recession-proof industries. Consider expanding your job search into one of these industries. 

6. Help other people. Now is the time to be extra generous in helping other people with job leads, event invitations, networking contacts, advice and moral support. When you see a job listing that’s perfect for a friend, forward it with an encouraging note. Call up a fellow job seeker and invite him over for a cup of coffee and a chat. 

Summit Security & Investigation is hiring high-quality individuals for permanent and stable full-time or part-time work in Albuquerque.  Apply in person at 2825 E Broadbent Parkway NE or online: CLICK HERE.

Interesting trend for security companies.

PROTECTING SECURITY FIRMS

In spite of recession, market fares well

By Dave Willis

---

To say it’s been an eventful decade for the security business is certainly an understatement. From the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the recent recession, the industry has faced more than its share of challenges.

Interestingly, the recent economic fallout has actually extended a trend that started after 9/11. “As a whole, the industry has been looking for more qualified guards,” says Karen Izzo, president of Izzo Insurance Services in Elmwood, Illinois. “They don’t want Barney Fife any more, and they’re willing to pay to get better guards.”

“In a bad economy, turnover is reduced,” adds Bruce Brownyard, presi dent of Brownyard Programs, Ltd., in East Islip, New York. “And there is a larger pool of available workers.”

Increased awareness following the events of September 2001 has had an impact. “People are more interested now in having security at their events,” says John Bures, senior vice president of Southfield, Michigan-based CoverX. “This has led to increased opportunities.”

Adds Brownyard, “The industry was already growing, but after 9/11 it really took off.”

The good and the bad

The recession has delivered mixed results for security firms and their agents and insurers. “In some cases, we’ve seen a 25% to 30% revenue drop in security businesses,” explains Brian Costanza, vice president-underwriting for Costanza Insurance Agency in Dallas. “Some are finding it harder to get paid. For instance, in California, guard firms are having to accept IOUs from the state government.”

At a recent security industry conference, speakers shared revenue data. In context, it wasn’t all bad. “They said security guard revenues are down about 10%, whereas other industries are seeing considerably greater drops than that,” Brownyard recalls. “In a bad economy, I guess it’s not bad to be down only 10%.”

Some clients—especially manufacturing and industrial concerns—are shutting their doors altogether. But security needs remain. “Many properties that employed two guards are cutting back to one,” says Costanza. “From an insurance perspective—primarily from a general liability standpoint—this creates a unique situation. We’ve seen an increase in property damage claims as a result.”

Some security firms have experienced a double whammy. “Some accounts have gone bankrupt, so the guard firm not only loses a client, but the client has gone away owing them money,” says Izzo.

Some guard firms are trimming their ranks. “We’ve seen deterioration in sales and payroll for some smaller firms,” says Torrence Brownyard, CPCU, president of W.H. Brownyard Corporation in Bay Shore, New York. “Some have reduced their insurance coverage or done away with it because they can’t afford it.”

Startups are surfacing. “With unemployment rates where they are, I’m seeing quite a few new ventures in the private security arena,” says Costanza. “This creates a challenge from an insurance standpoint. Often, the applicant is less experienced. Hiring and training procedures may be lax, which could have serious liability consequences.”

Still, some firms are growing. A number of larger firms, for instance, are seeing revenue growth between 5% and 10%, Torrence Brownyard observes. “They are going strong—diversifying into different areas.”

Costanza has seen the same trend. “Guard firms are moving more into investigative services,” he says. “It’s always been there, but now they’re expanding. We’re seeing more firms working with insurance companies on fraud issues.”

Gil Baca is released on is own reuognicense pending criminal trail.

He will have to report regularly to pre-trial supervision pending trial.  Wow.