An attack today on the Consul General of the U.S. Consulate in Peshwar Pakistan, Lynne Tracy, displayed all of the hallmarks of a classic terrorist attack against a protectee . Ms. Tracy was attacked today as she was leaving her home in an armored vehicle while going to work. Ms. Tracy was able to avoid [...]
“You can start right where you stand and apply the habit of going the extra mile by rendering more service and better service than you are now being paid for.” Napoleon Hill
The service aspect of executive protection is often neglected in favor of the protective aspect. However if you plan in growing your executive protection [...]
Future trends in technology developed to counter terrorism will have a place in executive protection. Researchers are currently working on several devices designed to fight terrorists that once fielded, will facilitate protecting key persons. A quick look at some the devices currently on the drawing board includes:
Laptops capable of detecting explosives 100 yards away
A hand-held [...]
Gary Glitter, the convicted child molester and music has-been has been rebuffed in his efforts to find a bodyguard firm in the United Kingdom willing to protect him. Glitter, who was convicted of a variety of sexual offenses against underage girls in Vietnam, was deported to the U.K. despite several attempts on his part [...]
Here’s a goofy idea and story if I ever heard one. Apparently the Executive Protection unit for the Governor of Virginia used hybrids until last year. That’s when someone figured out that the fuel wasn’t readily available and then hybrids were out.
I’m all about trying to save money in government but using hybrids for executive [...]
Here’s an interesting article from the International Herald Tribune about the rise of kidnappings in Mexico. The targets this time include the sons and daughters of well done Mexican businessmen as illustrated in this unfortunate story about the kidnapping of Fernando Marti, a 14 year old. This incident occurred in June however details continue to [...]
In response to the alarming rise of kidnappings in Mexico, residents there are turning to implanting radio chips in their arms which will alert rescuers to their location. According to one source cited in the Times Online article, kidnapping in Mexico has surpassed Iraq and Colombia and now holds the distinction as the country with the highest kidnapping rates in the world. Kidnappings during the first six months of this year has approached the rate of kidnappings for the entire previous year and there is no sign of this trend abating. According to the stats in this article, there could be more than 20 kidnappings a day in Mexico. The real number is very difficult to assess since most kidnappings are not reported to the Police. Unfortunately, there are many indicators that corrupt Police officials are involved in the more spectacular and lucrative kidnappings.
However, before anyone starts heading for the border with thoughts of protecting the family that owns one of the national breweries or the tequila distillery, think again. First off, only the most wealthy Mexican families are willing (and able) to pay the rates typically associated with American bodyguards. Additionally most of the people who are kidnapped are middle class working people who can’t afford bodyguards. Third, many of the kidnappings are “quick-nappings” where the victim is forced to make a cash withdrawal from an ATM and is then released.
Security work in Mexico is regarded with some disdain. Bodyguards are placed in the class of a common laborer therefore no one should expect to move down to Mexico to rake in big bucks. There are bodyguard opportunities but those opportunities are not as plentiful for non-Mexicans as it would appear given the increasingly dangerous environment.
Mexicans turn to radio implants as kidnaps soar - Times Online
baalex @ August 28, 2008
Bodyguard Book and Product Review, Recent Executive Protection news Comments (0)
There’s two new bodyguard and executive protection books on the market which appear to be worthwhile reads:
“Just 2 Seconds”
“Just 2 Seconds” by Gavin DeBecker, Tom Taylor and Jeff Marquart. This book, which came highly recommended by a number of you, is a compendum of attacks against key persons from around the world with key lessons for executive protection and bodyguard tactics. The book contains “400 pages of summarized attacks, near attacks, and incidents against at-risk persons all over the world from 1960 – 2007, more than 1400 entries.” Gavin De Becker is well know as an author, and a noted authority on executive protection. This book appears to live up to the previous standards set by Mr. De Becker as a must read for the executive protection community.
You can purchase the book by go to the Executive Protection store on this site.
“Bodyguard to the Packers”
This is the story of Jerry Parins, the head of security for the Green Bay Packers. In this story, Parins details his security career with the Green Bay Packers starting with the immortal Vince Lombardi up to another Green Bay immortal, Brett Favre. Parins tells readers how he worked “halls and walls” keeping players safe (from others and themselves) as well as making sure players behaved to the variety of security challenges he faced in his long career in NFL security. To me one of more courageous parts of his book is Parins’ own personal fight with colon cancer.
baalex @ August 27, 2008
2008 Convention Security, 2008 Presidential Candidate Security, United States Secret Service Comments (0)
Police in Denver have scheduled a press conference this afternoon, Tuesday, to discuss an alleged plot to assassinate U.S. Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic Presidential Nominee during his acceptance speech at the Democratic convention.
The plot involves four individuals described as members of the Aryan Brotherhood. The case is still under investigation but the plot involves shooting Obama with a rifle while Obama appears on stage to give his speech. Comments on this case from law enforcement are quite naturally limited given this is an on-going investigation.
Stay tuned for more details.
baalex @ August 26, 2008
