Faced with staffing shortages, Fairfax City is deploying uniformed security guards to help fight crime

Fairfax City, Virginia, is deploying private security guards in several neighborhoods, hoping to deter crime as the police department struggles with staffing issues.

The pilot program, scheduled to run through the end of December, will deploy security guards in the areas around Stafford Drive Park, Draper Drive Park and Old Town.

“We thought this would be a good supplemental program since we are currently facing staffing issues,” said Sgt. James Lewis.

The program is in response to businesses and community members who have expressed concerns about loitering, trespassing and petty theft in those areas, Lewis said.

The staff will wear the uniform of a security guard, will not be armed and will not have the authority to make an arrest, he said.

They conduct foot patrols in the parts of the city to which they are assigned and report “any activity that they feel is rising to the level of a crime, or if a crime is being committed, for direct call or dispatch “We can send officials there and address the problem,” he said.

From Friday, the guards will patrol the old town's commercial area from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional guards patrol the two park areas daily from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m

“We really just want to deter crime,” Lewis said. “So if someone is thinking about committing a crime or has bad intentions, we hope they see the security guard, someone in uniform, and reconsider and evaluate their decision before they actually do it.”

The department is still working out logistics, but Lewis said at least one officer will be assigned to each area.

“A lot of businesses just want to have some sort of presence there to deter people from stealing or loitering in their stores,” Lewis said.

The program is scheduled to run through Dec. 22 and will cost about $16,800 for the eight weeks, according to city documents.

Alpha Security, the company that will provide the guards, already has an ongoing contract with the city's parks and recreation department.

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