It took some time but the Department of Homeland Security is getting back to its security roots. After being plagued by politics in doling out funds to metro areas in a format that seemed to encourage what many would call pork-barrel funding, the DHS has moved to a standard risk-based and assessment-based format for funding.

The news that the DHS had earmarked $765 million for specific metro areas at high-risk of terrorism incidents – and which anticipated limiting funding to lower-risk cities including Louisville, Buffalo and Tampa – brought out a number of cries from cities who felt that they were overlooked, proving that you can’t please everyone. And while some major metros (including Las Vegas) that seem to be imminent fixtures of the American psyche, much like New York’s Twin Towers were, are excluded, the new format is a step in the right direction. Just as security systems dealers and facility security directors focus their resources everyday to secure high-risk area, the DHS model is now doing the same. While pundits can nit-pick over whether Las Vegas is a higher-risk target than say, Atlanta (which is on the list to get part of the $765 million in funding), the overall move is a positive one and one that our industry can applaud.

The full list of the DHS urban area candidates for funding is published online; click here to see that PDF document.

Liability for Guard Services

While our industry often gets focused on the technology of security -- access control cards, surveillance cameras, IR motion sensors -- most facilities still rely heavily on the guard services industry. A ruling involving a case where a plaintiff was assaulted by a guard hired to protect a Ford Motor Company facility was important news this week. In the case, the judge found Ford Motor Company not liable for the actions of the hired guard, basing the decision on the fact that because the guard was working in his scope of work. The ruling indicated that Ford was not negligent for retaining the subcontracted employee, and was therefore not liable in a negligent retention suit.

Low Voltage not Burglar and Fire