Blog Layout

The Rising Crime Crisis in America: Why Effective Security Measures Are Crucial Now

Shane Ammerman • September 5, 2024

As Crime Rates Surge Nationwide, Proactive Security Solutions Are No Longer Optional—They Are Essential for Protecting Communities, Businesses, and Lives

America is at a critical juncture. As crime rates soar, our communities stand on the brink of chaos. The question isn’t whether we need stronger security—it’s how soon we can implement it. As the CEO of HCCI Professional Protective Services LLC in Denver, Colorado, I have a front-row seat to the rising crime rates that are gripping our communities. As security professionals, we stand as the first line of defense for many businesses and organizations, responding to emergencies with unwavering commitment. In today’s climate, the importance of collaboration between Private Security and Law Enforcement Collaboration has never been more vital, especially amidst staffing shortages, delayed response times, political discord, and an alarming surge in crime.


Why Crime Is Rising: Root Causes and Systemic Failures

The surge in crime across the nation can be traced back to systemic failures that allow criminals to act with impunity. Many law enforcement agencies are prevented from implementing legal actions against criminals, often due to political pressures or legal restrictions. The lack of meaningful consequences for criminal behavior has emboldened offenders, creating a dangerous environment where law-abiding citizens are left vulnerable. Our society is at a crossroads where inaction has cultivated a breeding ground for lawlessness.


Systemic Failures and Criminal Empowerment

In Colorado, law enforcement faces daunting challenges, from low staffing levels and extended response times to the inability to enforce basic laws like trespassing. The situation is further exacerbated by political ideologies that prioritize the rights of criminals over the safety of citizens. This shift has led to a lenient justice system, where minimal consequences for criminal actions have emboldened those who break the law.

 

A particularly concerning development is the infiltration of the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela into Aurora. This gang has taken control of entire apartment complexes, turning them into hubs of criminal activity. Through intimidation and violence, they extort rent from residents, brandishing weapons to enforce their demands. Despite the severity of this situation, law enforcement struggles to combat these sophisticated criminal operations, hindered by an overwhelmed system.

The Consequences of Inaction by Major Retailers

Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods, and Kroger have adopted “do not stop” policies, effectively giving criminals a free pass to steal without fear of repercussions. They have repeat offenders stealing hundreds of dollars’ worth of products each week, with security teams instructed to merely observe and report. This can lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses per year, a figure that only increases as criminals learn they will not be stopped. These policies reduce security to mere theater, providing a false sense of safety while leaving businesses and customers exposed to real threats. The focus on appearances over effective security measures fails to address the root causes of crime, perpetuating a cycle of criminal behavior.



When property owners, business owners, and citizens fail to enforce their rights, they send a clear message to criminals: they can act with impunity. This abdication of responsibility has created an environment where criminals feel empowered to push boundaries and test limits without fear of intervention. In some cases, individuals can even stop paying rent and legally steal from property owners while the latter remains responsible for maintaining the property and keeping utilities running.


The Impact of Leniency on Criminal Behavior

Consider this analogy: If a child repeatedly breaks a rule without facing any consequences, they learn that they can continue to break the rule without fear of punishment. The same principle applies to society. The more we allow people to get away with crimes, the more they learn to manipulate the law and victimize the innocent. To combat this, it’s crucial to enforce trespassing laws and implement visible and effective security measures to deter crime.


Examples of Systemic Failures in Real Life

At HCCI Protection, we’ve witnessed the devastating consequences of systemic failures. In one instance, we apprehended a murderer shortly after the crime occurred, before law enforcement could respond. The perpetrator, a 16-year-old, was ultimately given a lenient plea deal, minimizing the severity of their actions. Despite committing murder, using a firearm, and attempting to evade justice, the system treated this individual with undue leniency.


In another alarming case, we were tasked with protecting a retirement community from a dangerous criminal with a violent history. At just 12 years old, this individual murdered both parents and attempted to kill their 9-year-old and 5-year-old siblings. After being released from prison at 18-years-old, the pattern of deception and violence continued. This behavior included fraudulently enlisting in the Army, avoiding charges for these actions, and attempting to purchase a weapon. Despite repeated lies and criminal behavior, this person was never held fully accountable, slipping through the cracks of an ineffective system.


Taking Action to Reclaim Our Communities

We are witnessing a troubling shift in society where the rights of criminals are increasingly prioritized over the safety of law-abiding citizens. Real change begins with proactive steps to protect our properties, businesses, and lives. By strengthening our security measures and sending a clear message that criminal actions will not be tolerated, we can begin to reclaim our communities and restore order.


Investing in comprehensive, armed security today is far more cost-effective than facing the potential losses of tomorrow. Delaying the implementation of effective security measures not only endangers lives but also increases long-term costs associated with crime. At HCCI Protection, we emphasize real, actionable security solutions over mere security theater, ensuring that your investments yield tangible results and provide peace of mind.


Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take control of your safety today. Contact HCCI Protection now to secure your business, home, and community with proven, effective security solutions that deliver results. We must hold criminals accountable for their actions and protect the innocent from harm. It starts with each of us taking responsibility for our safety and demanding that the system does the same. Together, we can make our communities safer and stronger.


Call Us
By Shane Ammerman December 13, 2024
Rising to the Challenge: How HCCI Protection Redefined Security In the Face of Chrises.
By Shane Ammerman October 8, 2024
In a world where crime is on the rise, relying solely on insurance as your primary defense is a risky gamble. Discover why proactive security measures are essential to protecting your business, employees, and assets before disaster strikes. Learn how the real cost of choosing insurance over security can affect your bottom line, reputation, and community trust. This article will reveal the hidden dangers of reactive protection and why a proactive security strategy is not just an expense—it’s an investment in the future of your business.
By Shane Ammerman January 26, 2024
Do not Let Perry become but a Memory!
By Shane Ammerman January 2, 2024
A Call for Real Security in Our Denver Schools - NOW
By Shane Ammerman November 15, 2023
Million Dollar Mingle Conference
By Shane Ammerman November 15, 2023
A deep dive into the world of Security
May 12, 2023
The issue of security theater has become increasingly prevalent within the security industry, leading to heightened risks and even fatalities for security personnel. Security theater is characterized by maintaining the appearance of security without possessing the necessary training, resources, and equipment to effectively protect clients or the public. Regrettably, the security industry is saturated with companies engaging in security theater, which renders them ill-prepared for genuine threats or active shooter situations. I recently came across a tragic incident on LinkedIn involving a security guard who was killed in a mall during an active shooter situation. The guard courageously attempted to rush people to safety but was likely underpaid, unarmed, under-trained, and unequipped to handle such a threat, largely due to their company's reliance on security theater. Shockingly, I later read that another individual within the same company revealed that they had lost two employees in similar circumstances within a year. This ongoing sacrifice of security professionals' lives for the sake of cost-cutting and theatrics is unacceptable. The recent tragic loss of this security professional underscores the urgent need for effective security measures and highlights the importance of prioritizing high-quality, armed services over cost-effective, unarmed alternatives. In these challenging times,when law enforcement staffing faces difficulties, the role of security professionals becomes even more crucial. The St. Louis school shooting in October 2022 illustrates this point, as one of the seven unarmed security guards present saw the shooter before shots were fired but was ill-equipped to stop the attack, resulting in the loss of two innocent lives. As industry leaders, it is our responsibility to equip security professionals with the finest training, resources, and equipment, enabling them to effectively prevent, deter, secure, and neutralize threats as they arise. The question is not "if" but "when" such situations will occur, and we must ensure our personnel are well-prepared for these moments. Despite this, we continue to see prominent security companies within the industry prioritizing profits and contracts above the lives of their employees by engaging in security theater. Regardless of whether the public wants to admit it or not, private security is a form of law enforcement. While not government-run or employed, private security is hired to protect the lives, assets, and relationships of clients, the public, children, and other private individuals. As security providers, it is our job to educate the public about the real way to provide security services and how to adequately protect the public and our clients in the event of a real threat. If we choose to under-train, under-equip, and under-prepare our security professionals, we are opting to value money over the value of the security professionals’ lives. In light of these unfortunate events, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting both our clients and the public, while also increasing the likelihood of security professionals returning home safely after serving their communities.
April 5, 2023
Looking at the available resources and security planning that makes a difference when an emergency takes place.
April 5, 2023
Where do these recent events leave school security and worried parents?
April 5, 2023
Focusing on how to reduce risk with effective access control and security protocols.
More Posts
Share by: