Private security has increasingly become important as public law enforcement agencies have been shown to have neither the resources nor the manpower to protect private property. The opening chapter covers the historical development of security from early European and early American times to the present. Subsequent chapters cover security problems and issues such as the current status of security devices, the threat to the environment, perimeter security, and security lighting. In addition, the book covers mechanical locks, electronic access control, electronic alarm systems, security storage containers and information security. Other topics include personnel, risk analysis and surveys, legal aspects, fire prevention and safety, emergency and disaster control, and education. The closing chapter is an orientation to private security as a career. Selections are also included from the 1991 Uniform Crime Reports for the United States, the Private Security Task Force Report, and two sample security survey checklists. Notes, figures, and index