Do you work, dine or shop in Gwinnett Place? If you do, you likely have seen or interacted with a Paradigm security officer. As the president and CEO of Paradigm, I’m proud to serve the more than 160,000 people who live and work in the area in cooperation with the Gwinnett County Police Department and local State Patrol.
Paradigm is a private security firm that has been helping to keep the Gwinnett Place area safe and secure since 2013 as part of the CID’s community security patrols program which began in 2007. Every day the Paradigm security officers monitor Gwinnett Place businesses to ensure that owners and visitors feel safe throughout the day and especially late at night.
Besides monitoring the area, Paradigm officers also inspect area buildings and lighting, report on graffiti or trash for removal and assist patrons and motorists passing through Gwinnett Place.
What makes Paradigm different from any other security service is its level of training and communication between its clients. Paradigm has its own training academy, which is a three day mandatory class that covers a wide range of topics along with many additional training modules which exceed all State mandates. Every patrol officer comes out prepared for a variety of different situations.
Paradigm communicates closely with all clients, including the GPCID’s Director of Operations, Glenn Wisdom. Each night, a patrol officer reports to Glenn with information regarding trash that needs to be collected, lighting that needs to be replaced and any suspicious activity so that the CID is aware and can work to keep the area clean and safe can get it all in order the next morning. Communication is key for the CID and Paradigm; and without it, the area would not be as safe and well-maintained for the community.
Now that you know what Paradigm does for Gwinnett Place, I hope you will stop and thank the next security officer you see. In the meantime, take a look at some of our tips on how to ensure your safety when shopping at Gwinnett Place or any other shopping center.
Tips to Keep You Safe
- Be Aware of your surroundings.
- Focus on your surroundings, not your phone or electronics.
- Keep your purse tucked in and close to you.
- Subscribe to the “Clean Car Campaign” – Never leave valuables visible in your vehicle, place them in the trunk.
- Do not draw cash from ATMs; knowing this might attract unwanted attention.
- Walk with a friend or group of friends.
- Ask security to escort you to your vehicle, if you feel uncomfortable.
- Look inside and underneath your vehicle before unlocking and loading packages. (A small flashlight always comes in handy.)
- Make sure you have not been followed by paying attention to the vehicles around or behind you.
- When in doubt, err to the side of caution.
- If you see something suspicious, never hesitate to report it to law enforcement or security.
About Rick Strawn:
Rick Strawn retired from law enforcement in 1998 after 25 years of service with the Atlanta Police Department. During his APD career, he rose from Patrolman to Detective Sergeant and Day Commander over the White Collared Crimes Unit.
Rick established Strawn Security Services in 1988 and incorporated Paradigm in 2006. As the co-owner and president of Paradigm Security Services, he is directly involved in every phase of the firm’s operations.
Rick is an active community volunteer for numerous non-profit organizations, and volunteers hundreds of hours every year as a member and Past Flotilla Commander of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, promoting boating safety as a public instructor and vessel coxswain. He also sponsors activities such as his community’s youth swim team, the Richland Waves.
Rick is a member of the Chairman’s Club of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, has received international certification in Private Security Management (CPP) from, and is a member of, the internationally recognized American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), The Building of America Team Network, the Building Trade Association and many other security related organizations. He is also a member for the Rotary Club of Gwinnett Mosaic.