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“The officers' proactive response reflects their commitment and training, which led them to follow up on crucial information that easily could have been dismissed by less-experienced personnel.” Mike Harkins Andrews International Officers Locate Homicide Suspect in Hollywood Entertainment DistrictHOLLYWOOD, Calif. (March 22, 2007)—Homicide suspect, Ralph Garbarini, is now off the streets thanks to the quick response of three Andrews International officers. The suspect was apprehended on March 13 in the Hollywood Entertainment District after officers, Stephen Seyler, Lawrence Hamblin and Charles Damiano received a tip from a concerned citizen who spotted the suspect's truck after watching the FOX television program America's Most Wanted. The officers used the citizen's information to locate the suspect's vehicle and confirmed the license plate number with the information posted on the America's Most Wanted Web site. They placed the truck under surveillance until the Los Angeles Police Department arrived and the suspect was arrested two hours later. "The officers' proactive response reflects their commitment and training, which led them to follow up on crucial information that easily could have been dismissed by less-experienced personnel," said Mike Harkins, director, BID Security, Andrews International. As part of the community's Business Improvement Development (BID) project, Andrews International is responsible for patrolling the Hollywood Entertainment District, which is home to the Chinese and Kodak Theatres, and the famous Walk of Fame. The BID was formed in 1996 by property owners located along Hollywood Boulevard to improve the area and its perception among tourists and locals. Andrews International has recently contracted with area property owners to boost security presence. "The ability to assist local law enforcement in "quality of life issues" benefits the entire Hollywood community," stated Harkins. The BID project has led to a reduction in nuisance crime and has provided additional assistance to runaways and homeless individuals. "This incident is an example of how private security is effective in safeguarding a community and supporting public law enforcement," said Bill Farrar, Vice President of Andrews International. About Andrews InternationalAndrews International, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, is a full service provider of security and risk mitigation services with operations throughout the United States and internationally. As one of the largest privately-held, American-owned security firms, Andrews International employs nearly 4,000 security personnel providing uniformed security, consulting and investigative services, personal protection, special event security, training and alarm monitoring and response, and disaster emergency response services. The company is owned by executive and management team members with investment backing from DFW Capital Partners, Meridian Venture Partners, Theo Capital Partners and affiliates of New York Life. |
