Entries by Andrew Ciccone

Leveraging Generative AI to Mitigate Fraud, Disinformation, and Exploitation

June 27, 2024 in , , /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  Fake news, manipulated media, deep-fakes—disinformation continues to evolve online, fueled by increasingly sophisticated generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) tools. Deepfakes in particular have been used to imitate individuals—whether in video or audio form—to achieve a number of criminal aims. While intentional reputational damage toward organizations is certainly possible […]

Corpus Christi public libraries will now have armed security guards.

May 17, 2024 in , , , , , /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  Effective immediately, all Corpus Christi public libraries will now have armed security guards inside. Previously, only the La Retama location had armed security guards. The school’s staff feel they don’t have to worry if some crazy person wants to come in with a gun or rifle. At least […]

Do Armed Guards Prevent School Shootings?

May 17, 2024 in , , , , /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  In 2022, there were 51 active shootings that caused injury or death — excluding suicides — in K-12 schools or on school buses. There are roughly 100,000 public schools in the United States, meaning that these incidents are quite rare. Still, widespread worry fuels an active national debate […]

Steps to Mitigate Crime Risks at Houses of Worship

May 17, 2024 in , , , , /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  Every place of worship is different in physical size and design. Some places of worship may be a single building with just a few attendees, open one day a week. Other places of worship may contain numerous buildings and entrances with hundreds of people attending every day. Some […]

$40 M Contract for Armed / Unarmed Security at County Facilities

May 17, 2024 in , , , , /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –    Multnomah County officials recently signed a 5-year, $40 million contract for armed and unarmed security at county facilities. The security details were deemed necessary due to the increased drug use and mental health outbursts have become more acute in public spaces, like the county’s libraries.   SOURCE:  […]

City Leaders State that crime is down due to increased security patrols

May 17, 2024 in , , , /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  Local law enforcement offices state that increased security patrols have enabled officers to respond more quickly to crimes in the area. Officers are able to quickly de-escalate potential escalations due to the increased security presence.  Local business owners also state they have seen a positive change in the […]

Library Workers Call On City Officials to Place Security Guards in System

May 17, 2024 in , , , , , /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  In a dramatic plea for safety, San Francisco librarians are now demanding the city deploy security guards at all library branches, echoing the broader concerns of a community grappling with the city’s rampant drug crisis.  Business owners and librarians alike report a surge in dangerous incidents, ranging from […]

Guard Dogs Employed to Provide a Physical Deterrent To Shoplifting

May 17, 2024 in , , , , /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  In order to off-set shoplifting that costs the retail industry over $100 billion every year, The Home Depot store has deployed guard dogs to protect their inventory. Two security guards wearing bulletproof vests and MSA Security caps now patrol the store with a trusty German shepherd in tow. […]

Body Cameras Enhance the Safety of Civilians & Officers

May 17, 2024 in /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  Incidents of abuse, aggression, and even violence are being experienced by retail professionals more frequently than ever. Alongside other preventative and reactive solutions, technology is coming to the forefront as a way of tackling this growing epidemic. Body cameras promote transparency by providing an objective record of police-civilian […]

Mindful Interviewing – The Cognitive Technique

May 17, 2024 in , /by

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  The cognitive interview (CI) technique: the benefits of mindful interviewing has facilitated authentic recollections from eyewitnesses, guided by principles of “cognitive evidence.”  Individuals often recount events with false memories. Often eye witnesses believe they saw something, when in fact they didn’t. “Mindful interview standards’ ‘ reset the individual’s […]