But using a private security force to provide public safety services may not be a wise solution. A case in point is the use of a private security force by the Irvine Company, a large real estate development entity in California. Private security can provide specialized services to small segments of the public. They can be used to enhance liveability in areas of special concern to private groups. The Irvine Company's private security force initially was hired to prevent rustling and theft of agricultural products and later was used to patrol construction projects, private parking lots of residential structures, and public and parking areas of the company-owned shopping malls. When the Irvine Company decided to disband the private security force, which had cost the real estate company $2 million per year, all services previously performed by the private guards had to be handled by the Irvine Police Department. In less than 60 days, the Irvine Company sold its vehicles, dismantled its security guard force, and let the director go. The loss of the security guards will have an impact on residents who used their services directly, and on the whole community as the police department's publicly funded manpower must take over. This article cautions police planners to draw up contingency plans allowing for undertaking public safety services on short notice should private security services fail or lose their private funding.