Active shooter incidents in the U.S. are on the rise. Between 2000-2020, there were 373 active shooter incidents in the country.1 According to the FBI, the majority of active shooter events in 2020 occurred in areas of commerce, which are targeted more frequently because they are easily accessible and open to the public.2 As a recent example, on May 14, a tragic shooting at a Tops Friendly Markets store in the Kingsley section of Buffalo, NY, left ten people dead and three others injured.

Public events like concerts and sports games are back in full force and fans are ready. As attendance for events of every kind reach peak levels at venues throughout the globe, it is essential that organizations remain prepared and vigilant against today’s threats.

Enhanced Protection Services, recognizes outstanding team members for exemplary service, leadership and dedication with the Michael O’Neil Commemorative Award for Excellence. This award is named in honor of Enhanced Protection Services’s former President, CEO and Chairman who led the company for more than a decade prior to his passing in 2020. He was a 22-year veteran of the New York City Police Department. We are proud to honor his memory and service during National Police Week and throughout the year.

Allied Universal®, the leading global security and facility services company, today announced the acquisition of Star Protection Agency (Star), the largest locally-owned security firm in Hawaii. 

To help create an inclusive environment for her team, Karla De Los Reyes, Director of Operations at Allied Universal®, takes a mindful approach by delivering meeting agendas and inviting input well in advance. In addition, she redirects team conversations when needed to make sure each person is included in the process and feels good about the next steps.

U.S. Army veteran Paul Burbridge found his niche in the security industry 25 years ago and credits the “can-do” attitude instilled in him by the Army as a major influence on his career success. Allied Universal® thanks Paul for his service to our great nation and, more recently, to our great company!

In his nine years as an Enhanced Protection Services Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) Handler, Brandon Bowe has never used one single sick day. It is an accomplishment that he credits to a healthy lifestyle and passion for his work. That notable statistic is among many achievements that earned Brandon the Michael O’Neil Commemorative Award for Excellence in 2020. The award, named in honor of Enhanced Protection Services’s former President, CEO and Chairman who led the company for over a decade prior to his passing in 2020, recognizes exemplary service, leadership and dedication.

The bombs planted by brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev that killed three people and seriously injured hundreds of others nine years ago this month at the Boston Marathon were created using pressure cookers loaded with nails and ball bearings. These improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were concealed in backpacks and hidden near the race finish line. Pressure-cooker bombs, which are pipe bombs in a different container, are favored by terrorists from New York to Afghanistan.