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Threat prompted new TSA gate-screening program
 The Transportation Security Administration is worried about a group of terrorists sneaking weapons components through an airport checkpoint, assembling them after going through security and bringing a weapon on an airplane, an agency official said. Douglas Hofsass, head of commercial-airport security for TSA, told an airports conference that the TSA recently launched a stepped-up program of screening randomly chosen passengers at airport gates partly in response to that threat. Under the program, uniformed TSA screeners pull some passengers out of lines as they are waiting to board planes to view their IDs, search their belongings or check them for weapons with a handheld metal detector. The TSA is "concerned about the ability of multiple people bringing individual items through the checkpoint," Hofsass told about 100 airport executives at a Washington, D.C., conference center. The decision to launch the gate-screening program was partly driven by "intelligence and threats," Hofsass said. TSA spokesman Greg Soule said at the time that the program was not driven by any specific alerts but that the TSA was trying to protect against "insider threats." Airport employees, who do not go through security checkpoints, could bring a weapon to an airport gate and hand it to someone about to board a plane.
Source: USA Today
March Madness in “Mad-Town”
Madison, WI: The Madison Physical Security division just finished their version of March Madness with the completion of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) 2009 State Boy’s Basketball Championships at the Kohl Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
 Doug Chickering, retiring Executive Director of WIAA, stated it best in the manuals sent to the participating schools: “Passion! Excitement! Pride! Those are just a few of the words that describe state tournament experiences. Wisconsin’s Capitol City belongs to the kids on the court this weekend. Enjoy and have fun.”
It was the responsibility of Per Mar’s Special Events personnel and Licensed Security Officers to make sure the experience was a positive one. As I look back over the weekend of long working hours, preparations put to the test and the challenges of handling thousands of guests per session each day, we met that challenge.
It all starts on the streets as we park the vast number of buses, directing people in vehicles to the proper lots or ramps, keeping pedestrians safe crossing the busy intersections and assisting with hundreds of questions. We are conscious of the fact that most of these individuals have not been here before and need that extra smile or encouraging word to make their experience a memorable one.
Once in the Kohl Center, our ticket takers, ushers and security staff all make sure the guest is helped in any manner possible. The Per Mar management staff and Supervisors are always supporting their personnel’s efforts and offering their expertise in making sure the preparations are functioning as planned.
With multiple sessions per day, the turnover of guests, schools playing and our own shift changes made the three days tiring in some ways, but always an experience we look forward to each year.
Thank you, Madison Physical Security, for a remarkable effort and a positive attitude!
Article written by: Gene Hoth, Director of Special Events
Have you tested your alarm lately?
Your alarm system should be tested monthly to verify the system and its devices are functioning properly. This would also be a great time to go over the system with a new employee or a family member that is not familiar with the system.
Before testing, always make sure to contact your monitoring company to put your account in test. When doing this, you will need your account number and your password or pass code to identify yourself. While your alarm is in test, the monitoring company will not be acting on any signals they receive.
 Turn your alarm on and wait for the exit delay time to expire. During the exit delay time, make sure to open and close a door to simulate leaving the premise. This will ensure all protection is enabled.
Once the exit delay time expires, open an entry door and verify the entry delay starts sounding on the keypad. You will want to allow the entry delay to expire so the system goes into alarm.
Once the siren starts sounding, open and close other doors or walk in front of your motion detectors (if applicable). Then go to your keypad and enter your code to silence the alarm (some systems will require a second code entry in order to reset the system).
Once the system has reset, call your monitoring company back and verify they received your alarms. If everything tested and communicated properly, let your monitoring company know you are done testing and to make your account active again.
Being proactive in testing, as well as educating the people that use the system is a large step in reducing false alarms and ensuring the integrity of your burglar alarm.
Article written by: Kevin Link, Manager, Technical Support
Illinois House backs ban aimed at distracted motorists
 Sending text messages, downloading ring tones and surfing the Web while driving would be banned in Illinois under legislation the House approved as lawmakers decried what they see was a growing epidemic of fatal accidents caused by distracted driving. The text-messaging ban is part of a package of changes pushed by Secretary of State Jesse White to cut down on distracted driving. House lawmakers also voted to prohibit the use of cell phones while driving in school zones and construction zones, even for talking, White's office said. The text-messaging ban passed 89-27 and now goes to the Senate, where President John Cullerton is supportive of the package. Even so, the Senate overwhelmingly defeated legislation to require motorcyclists in Illinois to wear helmets, something that is mandated in 47 other states. The text-messaging ban would be a primary offense, meaning police could stop a driver who is violating it.
Source: The Chicago Tribune
Emergency Response Planning
Many situations in our lives are scrutinized but when disaster strikes, the decisions that are made before, during, and after, will be the things that are remembered. Training and prior planning are the keys to an effective Emergency Response Plan.
Training is the cornerstone of every effective Emergency Response Plan. Whether conducting a fire drill, practicing for a mass casualty situation, or preparing people for their role in the event of an active shooter, training is at the heart of success in the face of an unfortunate situation. If people are trained to go to a specific location in the event of a fire, chemical spill, or tornado, then that is where they will go. If people are trained to react in a certain way when the power goes out, a water main bursts, or an intruder enters the building, then they will. While that sounds very simple, it works. Training can be, and most times is, the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.
 Evacuation and the preservation of life, is the ultimate goal of all Emergency Response Plans. When we plan for disasters at our facilities, we must, to the best of our ability, find the safest possible locations to assemble. This not only ensures a smooth and uniform evacuation process, but also assists in maintaining accountability of our people and assists with verifying our head count.
In all emergency situations, there will be a level of confusion that ensues. From the shock of the event, to the scramble to evacuate, and everything that happens in between, there has to be a level of organization from key personnel at the facility. These key players must not only keep their wits about them to ensure no one is injured, and that everyone is evacuated, but they must remember, that after the dust has settled, there will be questions that need to be answered and the preservation of the scene will be paramount in answering these questions. At our facilities, this step may be as simple as taping off the area so that no one can enter it or closing a floor until inspectors can assess damage. Whatever the case may be, scene preservation will ensure that the causes are found and that, moving forward, the proper steps are taken to minimize risk.
The next step in the Emergency Response process is change. We instinctively put up our guard after a major event and sometimes rightfully so. When disaster hits us, we will naturally focus on the ways to improve our safety and security. This step is necessary in order to maintain order in the short term, and to find the processes that work for our individual situation.
As time goes on after an event, we find the measures that work for our situation, and we keep those in place. We also see where we can become more efficient and scale back in the areas where it makes sense. While the initial buildup is in the best interest of safety and security, the eventual trimming of excess, allows us to get back our sense of normalcy.
No level of training will absolutely prepare us for the reality of any situation, but if the response is swift and accurate, we will be able to minimize collateral damage, and ensure that we are as prepared as we can be. With this in mind, we must plan and train our people, for the worst so that their reactions are second nature. It is only a matter of time, before we will be affected by an emergency and the question we need to ask is will we be prepared to answer the call?
Article written by: Daniel Sutherland, Physical Security General Manager
Iowa City ID thefts on the rise
Complaints of identity theft increased by 28 percent in the Iowa City area from 2007 to 2008, according to a report by the Federal Trade Commission; however, an official with an online identity security company said there are steps people can take to protect themselves. Mike Prusinski, vice president of Public Affairs for LifeLock, said reports of identity theft increased from 105 in 2007 to 134 in 2008, or 28 percent. That is in line with a 27 percent increase in Iowa and a 22 percent increase nationwide.
"We have seen there are certain areas with larger increases," Prusinski said. "Almost every single state is in the 20s." According to Prusinski that increase could be attributed to more people being aware of the risks of identity theft and the filing process. “As consumers get better educated, they learn about the process," he said. "But, there's still a large percentage that don't.”
 The two most common types of identity theft in Iowa are use of governmental documents or benefits, such as someone stealing someone else's income tax return, and employment-related fraud and identity theft. An example of that type of identity theft is the large number of workers at the Agriprocessors meat packing plant in Postville possessing Social Security information that wasn't theirs.
There is no single source for people to steal identities. Methods range from raiding garbage and mail to break-ins and businesses that keep customers' personal information on file. "Desperate times have people doing desperate things," he said. "The common denominator is we've made it too easy for people to determine our number."
Source: Iowa City Press Citizen
Per Mar Des Moines supports American Heart Association
 Per Mar Security Services believes that charitable activities benefit our communities, and unite employees as a way to encourage interactivity between departments and develop a sense of teamwork. Charitable activity in the Per Mar Des Moines office exemplifies that notion. For many years, the Des Moines office has supported the Heart Walk in their community. This event held in June of each year raises funds to benefit the American Heart Association and to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle. Many employees from the Electronic Security and Physical Security divisions of Per Mar and employees from Midwest Alarm Services promote heart health by participating in the walk each year. Many more employees get involved in the efforts to raise money for the walk as well by participating in activities such as an employee bake sale and having cookouts for breakfast and lunch to raise funds. This long-standing tradition is something that employees in the Des Moines office look forward to each year. In the end, this charitable activity benefits not only the American Heart Association who encourages heart health across the country, but Per Mar and Midwest Alarm Services as it encourages the development of the heart of our team.
Article written by: Mindy Zumdome, Director of Human Resources
Following The Code
If your company is like most, you have a mission, a vision of how to get there, and a core set of values to uphold at all costs, while on the journey. These values are really your core foundation, for making ethically sound decisions that best represent how you want to be viewed.
This can also be the beginning for creating a code of ethics for your security officers, or perhaps even for all the employees of your company. Think of a code of ethics as a value statement. Security officers have to operate with a lot of discretion, but by following the code, that discretion is focused.
The International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) publicizes their code of ethics, which states that a security officer, or a protection officer as they call it, shall do the following:
 Respond to employer’s professional needs.- Exhibit exemplary conduct.
- Protect confidential information.
- Maintain a safe and secure workplace.
- Dress to create professionalism.
- Enforce all lawful rules and regulations.
- Encourage liaison with public officers.
- Develop good rapport within the profession.
- Strive to attain professional standards.
- Encourage high standards of officer ethics.
This example from the IFPO serves as a perfect example of where to start with a code of ethics for your security officers. The important thing is to develop one that fits your company and how you want your security officers to represent you.
Remember, if a post order manual is the roadmap, then the code of ethics is surely the compass that helps guide your security officers in the right direction.
Article by: Colin Vick, Physical Security Division
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Alarming Truths
Here are actual alarms that occurred this past month where we helped our customers in their time of need.
Burglar Alarm:
Des Moines, IA, March 16, 2009
A burglar alarm was received from a local business in the evening hours. The local authorities were dispatched. It was reported that someone had broken in and stolen a vehicle.
Hold Up Alarm:
Two Harbors, MN, March 15, 2009
A hold up alarm was received from a local business. It was reported that this was an actual hold up.
 Per Mar Security Services Central Station is a UL, FM, and CSAA Five Diamond Central Station. Everyday, our Central Station Dispatchers help save the lives and property of our customers.
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Des Moines suburb to get rapid deployment vehicle
The element of surprise is crucial for police officers when they execute drug-related search warrants. A new vehicle the Urbandale Police Department plans to purchase with federal drug forfeiture money will help officers blend in, something they have struggled with lately, officials said. The vehicle, which resembles a utility truck, will be owned by Urbandale but will be used by the Suburban Emergency Response Team, which includes representatives from the Altoona, Clive, Johnston, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights police departments. It's designed to fit into traffic and not look like a police vehicle," said Urbandale Sgt. Kent Knopf, who commands the response team. "It looks like the plumbing or furnace guy." The department will use $50,665 in drug money in the next couple of months to purchase the rapid deployment vehicle, which is capable of hauling 20 people and two tons of weight. The money comes from the department's participation in an interstate investigation led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency into the sale of illegal prescriptions over the Internet. The vehicle also has the capability of serving as a mobile tactical operations center. It is expected to last 10 or more years, Knopf said.
Source: The Des Moines Register
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