DNC Security

A draft law proposed by the Denver Police Department would ban the possession by protesters of materials such as weighted pipes and chains and items that can make urine and feces bombs….

“We certainly don’t want to interfere with anyone’s First Amendment rights and the right to be heard,” “But it has to be done in such a way that it does not obstruct or endanger the general public or the police department.”

 Click on the above link for the full story.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press recently conducted a profile piece on Icon Services Corporation, CEO Elijah Shaw in their Business Section entitled The Other Corporate Securities.  The focus of the story was to illustrate the complexities (and hurdles) of operating in both the Celebrity Bodyguard and Corporate Protection markets:

“At his office in a space evoking the 1950s in the Griggs-Midway building on University Avenue in St. Paul, framed autographed photos of celebrities from Michael Bolton to Usher Raymond dot the walls. Shaw says comedian Chris Rock is a client, and so is rapper 50 Cent. A photograph of supermodel Naomi Campbell sits on his desk.  While the photos show Shaw’s connection with flashy superstars, he is trying hard to move his business in a different direction, toward more corporate and executive protection. Shaw, wants to spend more time with his family here after years of traveling to the coasts to work with celebrities.

His schedule is hectic. August is one example: He’ll be working with a corporate executive attending the summer Olympics in Beijing. When he returns, he has the Republican National Convention. Then he heads to Haiti to provide security to a woman who has donated money to open schools there. He’s also preparing for work at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.”

To read the full article click HERE.

CONDÉ NAST PORTFOLIO Magazine did an informative article on what executives need to know and expect when choosing an Executive Protection Firm. Entitled, Covering Your Assets, the piece written by Susan Karlin is meant to educate Executives and Security Directors on what to screen for when hiring security services. Below is an excerpt from the article.

According to Elijah Shaw, whose St. Paul, Minnesota, firm Icon Services has guarded many corporate and celebrity clients, most security personnel come from military or police backgrounds, but that experience doesn’t fully translate to an executive-security job without going through special training. “Sharpshooting or arrest experience may come in handy, but it’s not the main focus, which is to keep your client out of harm’s way and make his day go as smoothly as possible,” Shaw explains. Shaw says that top schools for executive-protection training include Executive Security International, Trojan Securities International, and R.L. Oatman & Associates, so it’s a good sign if an agent has attended one of these programs. “Some firms can spend a lot of money on marketing and hype, like recruiting a couple of pedigreed security figures as marketing tools but assign the executive a person with less experience,” Shaw adds. “So you should check out the credentials and chemistry of the specific person assigned to guard you. After all, this could be someone who might one day have to put his life on the line for you.”

Click on the above link to read the full story. To accompany the print article, Portfolio.com also conducted a video interview that highlighted more of Elijah Shaw’s insight on the word of private security. Click on the text below to watch the video.

The World of Private Security

DNC Security is a Blog and resource center hosted by security expert Elijah Shaw.  Shaw, a 14-year veteran of the industry is the owner of Icon Services Corporation: a full service security agency specializing in Executive Protection, VIP Protection and Corporate Investigations. With a unique understanding that the majority of professional security companies in Colorado will be involved in some capacity with an event the size and scope of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Shaw decided to provide a resource center for decision makers on what to look for when hiring a security company. Shaw also host Icon: Behind The Bodyguard Business - An Insiders look at news, tip and thoughts on the Executive Protection Industry.  For more information on Elijah Shaw, click here.

Welcome to DNC Security the #1 resource for security staffing and consultation related to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Here event planners, corporate sponsors and business owners who will be affected by the influx of attendees can find all they need to prepare for one of the largest most security intensive events in Colorado history. This site can provide you tips and information on:

Event Security
Executive Protection
VIP Protection
Uniformed Guard Services
Transportation Services
…And much more. 

*DNCSecurity.com is not an official body of the DNC Planning Committee and makes no claims to represent its policies or views.