Security Gives Back: Verkada Reaches Into Community and Around the World to Help

Three years ago, Verkada launched Verkada Gives, a community service initiative that started by embracing and helping causes near its headquarters location during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic before eventually expanding to about 20 countries around the world.

With a mission of “giving back to communities in which we’re living, working and operating in,” there are three components to Verkada Gives: donations of money, donations of products and donating time, says Verkada vice president of people Dervilla Lannon.

The company is constantly talking about how to expand the Verkada Gives program outreach and make it better through a company Slack channel, says Lannon, who challenged the sales team to do the most volunteer work in the company to earn a prize during her keynote at the company sales summit.

“It’s really just awesome to see them provide insight into the into the cause, what work they’re doing and perhaps how they’ve contributed or we’ve contributed,” says Lannon about the Verkada Gives Slack channel discussion.

“People post their pictures and I definitely think it builds interest amongst the rest of the employee base in terms of what other teams are doing,” she says, noting the company offers all employees two days off per year to dedicate to volunteering.

Allied Universal Named to Newsweek List of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Veterans

TMA member Allied Universal®, a leading security and facility services company, has been named to the Newsweek list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Veterans 2024/2025. Receiving the highest ranking of five out of five stars, the publication evaluated the company’s official programs for veterans, reviews and information from social media platforms.

“We have tens of thousands of veterans on our team around the globe. No longer on active duty, they continue their commitment to lifesaving, protecting and defending people and communities,” said Allied Universal Global Chairman and CEO Steve Jones. “We are honored to work alongside these amazing team members from all branches of the military. It’s with gratitude and pride that we thank each and every veteran working at Allied Universal.”

Allied Universal is committed to building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that fully supports its commitment to becoming an Employer of Choice, including providing rewarding career opportunities to veterans and those newly transitioning out of military service.

To read more, visit https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-greatest-workplaces-veterans-2024-25.

Important Industry Update – New Threat of Verified Response

We are seeing a sudden uptick in public safety agencies considering or implementing verified response policies. Seattle, Washington recently implemented this policy with virtually no warning to its citizens or our industry. We know that other cities have also been considering these policies which are detrimental to our ability to protect and service our customers.

The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) is working directly with local and state alarm associations to combat these efforts providing expertise and background information that has convinced hundreds of agencies to avoid verified response in favor of the model alarm ordinance that reduces false alarms and continues police response to alarms.

SIAC also continues to work directly with the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriff’s Association to promote the model alarm ordinance and best practices in alarm management.

The cost of fighting verified response on a local level can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees, lobbying costs and time investment. SIAC’s dual role of promoting the model alarm ordinance and helping communities oppose verified response is more important than ever.

SIAC needs your financial support to continue this vital mission.

Donate to SIAC:

  • By paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate
  • By check: Go to https://siacinc.org/donate/ for more details on donating by check

Everon receives 2024 HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor

U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie A. Su recognized Everon as one of the 839 recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony presented by the U.S. Department of Labor. Everon earned the gold award after applying earlier this year. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes employers who successfully recruit, hire, and retain veterans.

“We’re extremely passionate about being a military-effective organization and showing our nation’s former servicemembers a long-term path to success as they reenter civilian life,” said Mike McWilliams, President & Chief Operating Officer for Everon. “Given their unique set of technical skills, a call to serve others, and valuable leadership experience, former military servicemembers are some of the best professionals in the security industry. We’re proud of all the veterans who’ve joined us at Everon and whose drive for excellence matches our own.”

In an effort to foster an environment that would attract former servicemembers to a civilian career in the security industry, Everon has championed a number of veteran integration assistance programs to ensure the inclusion and success of military employees within the organization. This includes dedicated mentorship and peer-to-peer communications channels, the opportunity to participate in service projects that benefit nonprofit organizations whose missions support veteran and military member communities, and inclusive company events to honor service members and their families.

“Our goal is to create a sense of community and connection among veterans and military servicemembers at Everon that opens them up to opportunities for sustainable career growth and development,” McWilliams continued. “We’re so proud of what this award means and the impact it shows we can have in transforming the security workforce.”

Everon joins 838 other companies from 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, who have shown a commitment to hiring veterans but also ensuring that they have a long-term career and growth plan that uses the diverse skills they acquired through their military service.

Recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages, availability of veteran-specific resources, leadership programming for veterans, dedicated human resource efforts, and pay compensation and tuition assistance programs for veterans. More than 1,600 employers have earned a HIRE Vets Medallion Award since 2019.

CPI Security Commits $1M to Support Hurricane Helene Relief Initiatives

CPI Security has pledged over $1 million to assist those in need as Hurricane Helene’s devastation continues to affect communities in Western North Carolina.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., CPI Security is sending crews of its own employees weekly, focused on helping its customers and employees in need. The crews are equipped with generators, Starlink satellite internet service, chainsaws and other much needed supplies.

CPI has already sent over 75 employees who have volunteered over 1,000 hours, according to an announcement.

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene is like none I’ve ever seen before,” Ken Gill, CEO and founder of CPI Security, said. “Many of our employees, customers, and neighbors are trying to rebuild from this storm, and we’re committed to standing alongside them.”

In addition to CPI’s direct engagement with its affected employees and customers, CPI Security has donated to organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, the American Red Cross, High Country Charitable Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

“There are many lives, homes, and businesses that will need to be rebuilt,” Gill said. “This effort will be ongoing for quite some time. Please continue to pray for those affected and give of your talents.”

SDM Magazine, October 24, 2024