BY SUZANNE PHAN

KOMO News Reporter

Many businesses are starting to hire for the summer season. Private security companies said they are having a tough time filling jobs because of a massive demand for their services.

Security guards with Iron and Oak Protective Services cover a lot of ground.

“We patrol down here on 3rd Avenue from here at Pine down to Pike Avenue,” said Security Supervisor Jackson.

Now, more than ever, there’s a big demand for private security guards in Seattle.

“All the security companies right now are fighting for the same group of experienced officers,” said Alexander Butowicz, the owner of Iron and Oak Protective Service.

Butowicz said he has a 60-day wait list.

“We’ve seen the demand go up five times compared to what it was before the pandemic,” Butowicz said.

The rush is on to hire security officers now for special events and festivals as well as to ensure the safety of individuals and businesses.

“We have an immediate need for 40-50 people,” Butowicz said.

One office tower in downtown Seattle said they spend $1,000 a day for security. Businesses said it’s expensive, but it’s a necessity.

“It’s a massive change for our company,” Butowicz said. “A lot of that is because of the shortage of the police. Many of the things police would deal with prior to the pandemic, now private security is filling that gap.”

Joe D'Amico, owner of Security Services Northwest, said his company has tripled in size in the past two years because of the demand for private security.

“We’re looking for another 50-100 employees,” D’Amico said. “Not only for events, but also for retail, construction sites. We’re just seeing it across the board. We’re seeing an uptick in the need for security officers and also dealing with the homeless situation.”

And because there are not enough security guards out there, D’Amico said his company started a week-long academy.

“So, we can take someone that has no security experience and get them into that entry level at the end of five days of training,” D’Amico said.

Private security companies often have armed and unarmed officers. Many times, the armed officers are former law enforcement or military.