Following troubled relationship with Allied Barton, Ripon College switches to Per Mar Security
Jonathan Bailey
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: News
January 2010 marks more than just a new decade, but also the ushering in of a new era of security at Ripon College. Per Mar, a second generation family owned security company took over the reins of security here at Ripon College, Jan. 18. This followed an eight year partnership with Allied Barton, a relationship that became increasingly more challenging over the past few years.
"Efforts to refine the existing service over the last year met with mixed results, finally we were left with no other alternatives than to change service," says Physical Plant Director Brian Skamra.
The decision was made last semester to make the change, however, due to contractual reasons the college waited for second semester to make the change. The 2009 fall semester was filled with numerous hiring and firing of security personnel. Of those employees, one will remain at the college and transfer to Per Mar.
The security under Allied Barton, whose role is to insure the safety of students as well as the property of the college has had two instances which strengthened the college's desire to move forward in a new direction. The most recent case came during the wee hours of Tuesday, Sept. 29, when a handful of rocks shattered the window of a Scott Hall residence room.
Skamra was alerted by the Director of Scott Hall Ryan Dwyer of the situation and promptly came to the campus. When he arrived, police officers were already there but campus security was nowhere to be found. "I was unable to locate them and they never did come to the crime scene," says Skamra.
A few months earlier, Skamra tested out the Allied Barton security force himself and the end result was anything but encouraging. "I came in at night to check on guards, shadowed them, and tried to attract attention by simulated forced entry and evasion with no response," says Skamra.
Accompanying the transition are high hopes and expectations from both parties involved. Per Mar hopes to utilize the reputation that can be built through a successful security system as a model to attract potential future clients around the Fox Valley area. Skamra and the rest of the college administration look forward to having a more professional presence.
"Efforts to refine the existing service over the last year met with mixed results, finally we were left with no other alternatives than to change service," says Physical Plant Director Brian Skamra.
The decision was made last semester to make the change, however, due to contractual reasons the college waited for second semester to make the change. The 2009 fall semester was filled with numerous hiring and firing of security personnel. Of those employees, one will remain at the college and transfer to Per Mar.
The security under Allied Barton, whose role is to insure the safety of students as well as the property of the college has had two instances which strengthened the college's desire to move forward in a new direction. The most recent case came during the wee hours of Tuesday, Sept. 29, when a handful of rocks shattered the window of a Scott Hall residence room.
Skamra was alerted by the Director of Scott Hall Ryan Dwyer of the situation and promptly came to the campus. When he arrived, police officers were already there but campus security was nowhere to be found. "I was unable to locate them and they never did come to the crime scene," says Skamra.
A few months earlier, Skamra tested out the Allied Barton security force himself and the end result was anything but encouraging. "I came in at night to check on guards, shadowed them, and tried to attract attention by simulated forced entry and evasion with no response," says Skamra.
Accompanying the transition are high hopes and expectations from both parties involved. Per Mar hopes to utilize the reputation that can be built through a successful security system as a model to attract potential future clients around the Fox Valley area. Skamra and the rest of the college administration look forward to having a more professional presence.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Homer J.
posted 1/27/10 @ 4:00 PM CST
Good luck with Per Mar, Ripon. They are known in the security industry as a 'bottom of the barrel' provider. There is a reason they have so few clients and have been unable to expand their meager operations outside of central Illinois. (Continued…)
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