The Growing Demand for Private Security in the Pittsburgh Region

There is a growing recognition of the need for enhanced security measures across various sectors in the Pittsburgh region.  This can be attributed partly to the reduction in police numbers and resources – from 950 full-time law enforcement officers in 2018 to 771 2023, which leads to longer response times and decreased preventative patrols. Additionally, there is a heightened awareness of potential threats, particularly for high-profile events and individuals.

Private Security Services for Pittsburgh’s Local Businesses

Pittsburgh private security companies are increasingly being sought after by local businesses and organizations, from local school districts to luxury retailers, for specialized private security services. Many organizations are finding that private security is a cost-effective and flexible solution. Contracting a Pittsburgh private security company is often more economical than maintaining an in-house security team. Moreover, private security companies offer the flexibility of custom security programs that scale security measures to specific needs. 

These are the top industries in Pittsburgh relying more on private security and the services they prioritize: 

Private Security for the Commercial and Industrial Sectors: 

• Retail establishments seeking loss prevention and security guards
• Manufacturing facilities requiring asset protection
• Office buildings and corporate campuses needing access control and security patrols

Private Security for Educational Institutions:

• K-12 schools needing security guards and safety protocols
• Colleges and universities requiring campus-wide security solutions

Private Security for Healthcare Facilities:

• Armed and unarmed security personnel 
• Access control systems
• Emergency response protocols

Private Security for Event Venues and Hospitality:

• Event security services
• Crowd control
• VIP protection

Private Security for Residential and Property Management: 

• Residential Security Teams (RSTs)
• Apartment and condominium complex security
• Parking lot patrols

Personalized Protection for Pittsburgh’s Retail Businesses 

A report by the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice looked at 24 big cities and found that amid generally lower shoplifting rates in most cities, Pittsburgh was among the seven cities experiencing an increase in shoplifting incidents in recent years, with an 8% uptick between 2019 and 2023. For merchandise retail clients, particularly those in luxury retail, such as high-end jewelry stores, and service retail clients, such as upscale hotels and theaters, a concierge-style approach to security is necessary to mitigate the risks. 

The private security services that retail businesses benefit from most include: 

• Armed and unarmed guarding 
• Threat and hazard intelligence monitoring and notification
• Workplace violence and hostile termination support
• Threat vulnerability assessments
• Residential security teams
• 24/7 security operations center emergency support
• Security program and policy development 

Choosing Local: The Value of Hiring a Local Private Security Organization

At Convoy Group, we are proud to be a part of the community we serve and take great care to protect the people and businesses in our city. As a Pittsburgh-based security company, we offer custom security solutions from local experts who have a unique understanding of the security challenges facing businesses in our region – and we can do so in person.

Convoy Group delivers a tailored approach to private security rooted in our in-depth knowledge of the region. Being locals, we know quite a bit about the physical and cultural geography of the area. For example, our armed and unarmed guarding, executive protection, and hostile termination services are supported by mission-specific and location-specific intelligence monitoring. This ensures seamless communication of threat and hazard information to both protective security officers and clients, improving response times and operational efficiency. We also leverage our robust network of formal and informal connections with local law enforcement, first responders, and other security stakeholders to support operations in the region. 

Convoy Group provides customized, expert solutions to the most pressing security challenges our clients face. Our regional clients receive more than just highly trained security officers – we offer a comprehensive security solution suite that increases situational awareness, reduces response time, and improves overall safety, along with continuous operational support and active threat and hazard monitoring.