More than half of Korean-American security companies in Los Angeles reportedly have their private security business licenses revoked or suspended.
Following the stabbing of a 69-year-old Korean-American security guard at a Korean supermarket in Koreatown on April 24, concerns are mounting over the lack of proper operation of Korean security companies.
As of April 25, the Korea Daily identified 35 Korean-American security companies in Los Angeles, with 31 headquartered in Koreatown, based on the paper’s business listings. The Korea Daily then checked all 35 companies through the website of the Bureau of Security Investigative Services (BSIS), which issues licenses to security companies, and found that only 13 (37%) of them have valid licenses.
The companies with valid licenses included Proliant Services, DM Security, Miju Security, Seven Star Security, Everguard Security, Apex Protection Service, Choice, Pan-Am Private Patrol, Premier Guard Security, Hanmi Security, and B&B Security.
Another 13 (37%) had their licenses revoked, three (9%) were suspended, and six (17%) were not found.
Many of the revoked licenses were unreachable and presumed to be out of business. However, some reportedly were still open for business despite having their licenses revoked. Three businesses had their licenses suspended.
CM Security, the company of the Korean security guard attacked by robbers at Hannam Chain on April 24, was found to have a license valid until July this year but showed “suspended no qualifier.” A representative of CM Security said, “We believe it’s because we didn’t have some documents required for insurance. We don’t mind it.”
Another security company, whose license was suspended, said, “We did not manage the license because we were barely operating.”
Other Korean security companies that are still operating said that even if their companies are licensed, there are too many cases where security guards do not have licenses. They added that they hire relatively low labor-cost security guards over the age of 60 and that they are often under-trained.
“There are a lot of building owners who hire cheap and poorly operated security companies,” said Raymond Choi, president of Apex Protection Service, which provides security services to Zion Market. “They don’t have the manpower, so they just take anyone who is willing to work. They don’t have guns, and they don’t have the proper security licenses, which puts them at risk in an emergency.”
“The crime situation in LA is getting worse, and most of the Korean markets are staffed with security guards who are mostly retired people over the age of 60,” said another security company representative who asked not to be named. “It’s a shame that the Hannam chain store where the incident happened has three entrances but only hired one senior security guard. I doubt that the senior security guards will be able to respond effectively when homeless people and criminals confront them with weapons.”
BY SUAH JANG, HOONSIK WOO [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
