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DPS raid nets guards
12 arrested at area nightclubs
by Celina Alvarado
Laredo Morning Times
Twelve security guards were arrested at several popular night spots as part of a three-day raid in Laredo. Authorities with the Texas Department of Public Safety said Friday that eight were impersonating a security guard, three were unlawfully carrying a weapon and one was impersonating a peace officer.
Of the eight people working as uniformed security officers at local businesses, one was a convicted child molester and two were illegal aliens, said Keith Oakley, who is part of the Austin-based Associated Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas.
ASSIST, working in conjunction with DPS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, raided the local businesses including several bars, a popular restaurant and a warehouse between July 17-19.
"We received information that there were individuals acting as security guards in those places and we did what was needed to catch them in the act," said Tela Mange, DPS spokeswoman, Friday. "These people were all wearing security guard uniforms, but they were not licensed to wear a uniform and act in that capacity."
Mange said the businesses violated Texas Private Security Laws, by hiring security guards without registering them and without conducting criminal background checks!
Mange explained that it is the responsibility of the licensed security company to register all employees, as required, with the Texas Private Security Bureau (formerly the Texas Commission on Private Security). The bureau regulates the private security industry in Texas for people working as armed and unarmed security guards.
The commission became associated with DPS in September 2003, and was later re-established as the Departments Private Security Bureau in February 2004, Mange explained.
Under state law, commissioned security officers must complete a minimum of 30 hours of classroom and field training. Security officers are also required to wear a uniform indicating the company they are employed with, while carrying their weapons. That is if, in fact, they are licensed and allowed to carry weapons.
Security guards should also undergo a fingerprint-based state and national criminal history check, Mange said. Still, it seems many employees hired by local companies are given security uniforms without ever having to take a single exam.
No more, Mange said.
"Unlicensed security guards should be concerned and take this as a warning. We are watching and if you are not licensed, were gonna come and take care of that," Mange said. "Not everyone is meant to be a security guard.
"(ASSIST) runs operations across the state and we will be back (to Laredo) if we have to," she said. "We are doing this to ensure the safety of the people of the state of Texas."
Anyone who knows of other businesses that are making unlawful hires should contact DPS investigators at (512) 424-7710, Mange said.
Reprinted from the Laredo Morning Times.
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