Increases in crime rates and the fear of crime that has accompanied them have created a setting in which the private security industry has been able to expand exponentially. Although documented data are scarce, the private security industry has clearly become increasingly powerful. Nevertheless, it remains largely unregulated and unaccountable. Currently, the industry and some of its critics generally favor self-regulation with varying degrees of government oversight. Despite the debate about how a regulatory organization will be structured, regulation is clearly needed to provide standardized training programs and to ensure quality of service. Issues for the future include efficiencies, evaluation, accountability, the use of force, public access, standards, and fee setting. 28 references (Author abstract modified)