Port Everglades security: Seaport administrators plan to replace BSO workers with private security - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Port Everglades security: Seaport administrators plan to replace BSO workers with private security - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

There is considerable bias towards the deployment of public law enforcement personnel vs. private security in the public ports in the United States. The pushback being felt by Port Everglades is not unique. In 2004, an effort by the Port of Miami to curtail high operating costs associated with police overtime envisioned contracting for certain security services performed by police officers (e.g., vehicle screening). The resistance to the replacement of police personnel with contract security was considerable as local, state, and federal officials with port security regulatory responsibilities aggressively challenged such efforts. The truth is, many global corporations and institutions use private security effectively to mitigate risks associated with crime, loss from theft, espionage, even terrorism. Risk assessment and security planning can be done using personnel trained and managed well, whether they work for a law enforcement agency or a private company.