At the ANA last year in Chicago the had Chicago's "finest" walking around in full uniform, but I would bet there were more plain clothes walking the floor than uniformed. At our local show's they hire the County sheriffs dept. as security both uniformed and plain clothes.
Sorry for not buying into your fantasy of being a coin show rent-a-cop? Yes, Jason, there are no honorable people left. Just you. There now, feel better? I have yet to see a post from you that actually sheds light on any numismatic subject. Mostly you seek advice on what job you should take and other off-topic subjects or else complain when the rest of the world won't conform to your needs and expectations.
Before you get too reptured, I will bet a dollar (Morgan if you want) to a donut that he is talking about Geezer. I thought your post was humorous, while Geezer's was somewhat ill spirited. Perhaps the OP will clarify. Dang missed it by minutes with Geezer standing up to be recognized.
Just because a law enforcement officer is off duty, that doesn't mean they stop being a cop. Their duty is 24/7.
Not I, says I. From the context of his message, I believe Jason was referring to Numismat. Jason seems to think this forum is a version of Dear Abby or an employment advice column.
Now that I look more closely, I must admit you are right. Where would you like me to send the Morgan (darn I was looking forward to that donut). Now I will sit back down in my corner and shut up.
I think that the OP is far from a "flashlight/rent a cop". He was in the Army, and those comments pretty much fly up disrespect to him. Not saying he is more qualified than a cop, but jesus-- he's not your average fresh out of high school, useless rent a cop. Are off-duty cops probably more qualified for security than the OP? Probably. But on the same token, they have more abilities to deal with situations, the OP just asked for an opinion, not a lecture on how qualified LEO's dominate the security industry. .02.
I know, right? Some people just don't seem to understand that this is actually, first and foremost, a forum for correcting other people's manners.
JCB has zero credibility with me. Who knows what he did in the Army, or if he even was in the Army? He could have worked in the kitchen for all you know. I hear tell the Army makes men...
JCB1983, You might want to talk to Col. Steve Ellsworth http://www.butternut.org/coins/coins.html. He has written many colums about coin show security and usually publishes a list of the coin shows with the best security every year. In addition, he is a very nice guy and can be found at every major coin show. Best of luck.
I was involved in arranging security at our show a few years ago. We hired off duty cops to watch overnight and be around outside. We didn't have cops on the floor, but I was there walking around and have a CC permit. It may take a couple of years, but I would let the show organizer know you would be willing to do it, and a few of the dealers. Some larger dealers are willing to hire help during load/offload periods as this is when they are vulnerable. Unless you are a known entity, its hard to get into it, as others are right its kind of a red flag for people to volunteer to work around high value items. I helped out because: 1. I was VP of the Club putting the show on. 2. Many of the dealers knew me from before anyway. 3. I am a fairly big dude. But regardless of my background, if the dealers hadn't known me, they wouldn't have been comfortable with me carrying a gun walking them out to their cars, understand? Work on your reputation and getting known. Chris
Just because a soldier is assigned KP, or their MOS is culinary, doesn't mean anything. First and foremost, they are an infantry person and can be put on the line.
Jason this sounds like a worth endeavor on your part and certainly is something coin show organizers would be receptive to. However, I believe most organizers of shows probably have something in place as far as security so you may want to contact a few and discuss what they have, if anything at all. I'm sure there must be some type of security at the local shows near me; however, if there is they are plainclothes as I am unaware of their presence. Good luck.
I was in the army, and I am no more qualified to guard a coin show than someone who has taken courses in firearm usage. To say the number of your posts or your join date adds any credibility to you, is an inaccurate statement.
The shows I go to all have uniformed and armed police officers on the floor. There are always at least half a dozen there, hanging out around the sides/corners of the bourse. I think its completely safe at most large shows, the transportation is the dangerous part. And I think thats what the OP was talking about. However, this situation isn't new, so I imagine most of the dealers already have an arrangement for this. Either they already have security, or they think they will be fine without it. And I know many of them already have "security" in the form of carrying a firearm themselves. I doubt there is much of a market for these services.