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GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES
Federal and state programs on the order of the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit (TJTC) are, no doubt commendable social programs which may work well in some industries.
However, in my opinion, security is not the occupation to assign so-called disadvantaged persons who, too frequently, have backgrounds which make them unsuitable for security work. The other common problem is dependability. Often it takes months, even years for these subsidized workers to become responsible enough to show up at work on a regular basis. While these programs may prove successful in long term programs where dependability and security are not issues, they are the antithesis of programs applicable in security.
Although most security companies attempt to make a reasonable profit by providing service, other contract services have adopted a different approach to the business in recent years: A strictly voracious approach that is not in the interest of either the client or the general public.
Rather than striving to earn an acceptable profit through good management and quality service these firms make their money taking the tax credits they earn by hiring sub standard employees who often present the client with increased risk rather than security. Various TJTC-type programs have provided up to $3000 per employee in tax credits.
Agencies which engage in this practice have set the security industry back years because, too often, the uninformed or naïve client, simply takes the low bid. But what does this bid provide? Frequently it has provided subsidized personnel in one of the following categories:
Economically disadvantaged youths (18-24 years).
Vietnam-Era Vets who are economically disadvantaged.
Ex-Convicts who are economically disadvantaged and hired not more than 5 years after being released. (To qualify here, the applicant must have been convicted of a felony-those convicted of a misdemeanor need not apply.)
Recipients of General Assistance.
Recipients of Supplemental Social Security. (Usually the aged, blind or disabled.)
A.D.C. recipients and W.I.N. registrants.
Economically disadvantaged youths in an approved co-op program. (Ages 16-19.)
Economically disadvantaged youths 16-17 years of age in summer programs with restrictions.
Realistically (not idealistically), which one of the above is suitable to professionally protect a multi-million dollar business from risk? In many cases, these comprise the
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