The new regional office in Mexico is designed to provide the highest level security for FAM International clients when they are in country. This new regional office in Mexico joins and complements the other FAM International worldwide regional offices in the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, and the Philippines. In the U.S. FAM International operates regional offices in New York, California, Virginia, and Arizona, in addition to its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The new office in Mexico, will be led by FAM International in country security expert, Rodrigo Jose Pederzini. In 2004, upon graduating from Montgomery College in Houston, TX, Mr. Pederzini relocated to Mexico City and joined the Mexican Military. After serving in the Military, he chose to utilize his specialized training in Mexico’s fast growing security industry. As an Operations Supervisor and Executive Protection Agent for Integpro Mexico, Mr. Prederzini supervised and trained over 30 Security Drivers and Executive Protection Agents. Mr. Peterazini has worked with FAM International Security as a Security Coordinator for the past three years before his promotion to FAM Mexico’s in Country Manager. Mr Pederzini was born in the United States and holds dual citizenship.
In celebration of the opening of the new regional Mexico office, FAM International is offering free expert City Assessments one of these four key cities in Mexico: Cancun, Monterey, Mexico City and Queretaro.
FAM Announces Opening of New and Expanded Global Security Operations Center
New State of the Art Center Provides Unmatched Security Worldwide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Ft. Lauderdale, FL, October 7, 2014 FAM International, a leading international security solutions company today announced the opening of their expanded Operations Control Center and the introduction of their new state of the art Global Security Operations Center (G-SOC).
The new state of the art Global Security Operations Center was designed and developed by FAM with the most advanced technology including advanced global client GPS tracking and unparalleled real-time monitoring platforms to meet today’s challenges of an increasingly unpredictable world. These enhanced capabilities have dramatically increased FAM’s capabilities to provide unparalleled operational safety and security oversight for their clients’ security solutions worldwide.
“We are pleased to announce the opening of the new G-SOC,” said Brian Leek, CEO FAM International. “With the current world threats, it further underscores the vital importance and need for risk mitigation and crisis management,” added Leek.
The new FAM Global Security Operations Center uniquely encompasses the necessary requirements, procedures and protective intelligence that provide every FAM client the ability to safely and successfully accomplish their travel missions by identifying, detecting, decreasing, and preparing for any potential threats.
The FAM Global Security Operations Center is staffed 24 / 7 by an expert team that closely monitors every client trip providing safety, security health and environment risk guidance on a 24-hour basis.
To learn more about the new FAM Global Security Operations Center and download a Free World Threat Map visit their website at www.faminternational.com/globalsecurityoperations or call 888.326.0070.
About FAM International
Since 1997, multinational corporations, governments, and at-risk individuals have called on FAM International Securing for specialized security solutions. FAM provides services for over 45 of the US Fortune 100 Companies and industry leading multinational companies from Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.
FAM has supported projects in over 116 countries, many in high threat regions of the world including Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe.
South Africa
South Africa
South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa. Different from most countries, South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. South Africa has the highest homicide rate and serious crime levels in the developed world; firearms account for over half of all homicides in South Africa.
FAM intelligence estimates indicate the following major safety and security concerns in each of the three capital cities and provides crime risk management guidelines to keep you safe during visits.
Pretoria Brief
Crime is the primary security concern for travelers in Pretoria. The level of crime at Wonderboom Airport (FAWB) located north of Pretoria is extremely high. Petty theft upon arrival ranges from pick pocketing, purse snatching and luggage theft. The drive from the airport to the city center is 8 miles and the risk of carjacking (the action of violently stealing an occupied car) is high. Violent crime such as armed robbery, assault, rape and mugging in the central part and main business and commercial area of Pretoria is extremely high.
Crime risk management guidelines in Pretoria: 1) Upon arrival at Wonderboom Airport when passing customs, there will be a mass of people that include purse-snatchers, pickpocket and luggage thieves.
Keep track of your valuables and luggage. 2) Do not take a taxi from the airport to your hotel, even established taxi companies are highly questionable in Pretoria and cabs are easy targets for highway bandits. Use hotel cars or secure ground transportation only. Ask for the driver’s ID before getting into the car. 3) Pretoria’s city center is full of thieves and swindlers of all kinds. After dark the violent crime rate goes up drastically. Travelers to Pretoria should avoid walking after dark and only use only recognized secure ground transportation coordinated through a reputable source.
Cape Town Brief
Crime is the primary security concern for travelers in Cape Town. The level of crime at Cape Town International Airport (FACT) located approximately 12 miles from the city center is extremely high. Petty theft upon arrival ranges from pick pocketing, purse snatching and luggage theft. The drive from the airport to the city center is 14 miles and the risk of carjacking is extremely high. Violent crime such as armed robbery, assault, rape and mugging in the central part and main business and commercial area of Cape Town is extremely high.
Crime risk management guidelines in Cape Town: 1) Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport stay aware of your luggage and your surroundings. 2) Do not take taxis or other transportation services available at the airport. Use only recognized secure ground transportation services. 3) Cape Town has an extremely high murder and violent crime rate. Refrain from going outside after dark and only use recognized secure ground transportation coordinated through a reputable source.
Bloemfontein Brief
Crime is the primary security concern for travelers in Bloemfontein. The level of crime at Bloemfontein Airport (FABL) is located in Bloemfontein is extremely high. Petty theft upon arrival ranges from pick pocketing, purse snatching and luggage theft. The drive from the airport to the city center is 31.5 miles and the risk of carjacking (the action of violently stealing an occupied car) is extremely high. Violent crime such as armed robbery, assault, rape and mugging in the central part and main business and commercial area of Bloemfontein is extremely high.
Crime risk management guidelines in Bloemfontein: 1) Upon arrival Bloemfontein Airport taxi drivers will offer their services and immediately try to take your suitcases. Watch your baggage and personal affects
at all times upon arrival. 2) Only take vetted secure ground transport service in Bloemfontein because the risk of carjacking during the drive to the city center is extremely high. 3) Bloemfontein has one of the highest rates of violent crime in South Africa. Violent criminals in Bloemfontein are most active between dusk and dawn; therefore only essential travel should be undertaken during these hours. Use only secure ground transportation with a record of trustworthiness and professionalism. Receive a Free City Assessment*of your choice and learn how FAM can help your organization mitigate travel and security risks. Click here
Staff Feature: Jason Abreu
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT FAM INTERNATIONAL?
I am currently the Mid-shift Operations Manager. I am responsible for the oversight of any and all operations activity throughout my shift. I also insure that my team stays motivated, and they do not become complacent in order to assure that all services are arranged precisely to the clients need.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH FAM?
I have been a member of the FAM International Team for about a year and four months.
WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUNG AND EXPERIENCE?
Prior to joining FAM, I served as an Infantry Squad leader for the United States Marine Corps. I spent almost five years in the Corps and spent almost 2 years total on combat deployments in Afghanistan. I have led countless patrols in the villages of Afghanistan in order to assure the Safety and security of all local nationals. We also helped to support the A.N.A. (Afghanistan National Army) with training in order to turn over all operations to them.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP “INSIDERS” TRAVEL TIP OR ADVICE RELATIVE TO SECURITY?
Preparation & Situational awareness was the key leading factor to mission success while on deployment in Afghanistan. They assured that every Marine was ready and prepared for any situation that may arise.
Prior to visiting any unknown villages we would gather as much Intel pertaining to this location. I would also familiarize myself with these areas using maps or reports. This can be related into the civilian world when traveling or security measurements may be required. It is important that prior to traveling into any unknown place in the world you are aware and prepared of all issues pertaining to this location. Being overly prepared and familiarizing yourself with the area is an effective tool that may ultimately save your life or the life of another.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DESTINATION?
My favorite travel destination is the Dominican Republic. My father was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the US when he was 21 years old. Growing up as I child we would visit and spend many weeks in the D.R. Seeing and understanding some of the living conditions in this area make you more appreciative and grateful of everything you have.
My favorite travel destination is the Dominican Republic. My father was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the US when he was 21 years old. Growing up as I child we would visit and spend many weeks in the D.R. Seeing and understanding some of the living conditions in this area make you more appreciative and grateful of everything you have.
Receive a Free City Assessment*of your choice and learn how FAM can help your organization mitigate travel and security risks. Click here
Map of Mexico’s Kidnapping Hotspots
FAM International Security’s Map of Mexico’s Kidnapping Hotspots
Mexico Kidnapping Hotspots-MAP
The Business of Kidnapping for Ransom in Mexico is Booming
Drug cartels and local gangs have used kidnapping as a long established method for financing their criminal enterprises in Mexico. According to official reports kidnappings in Mexico have increased by 300% since 2005. However, many kidnappings in Mexico go unreported bring up the percentage even higher. The usual kidnapping in Mexico is professionally planned and skillfully carried out and often pulled off in broad daylight on public streets without police detection. The following provides some insider information on the ways and means of kidnapping and what to do to prevent from becoming a prime target when visiting Mexico.
The Use of Traditional Kidnapping
The drug cartels in Mexico generally use the traditional form of kidnapping for ransom whereby the victim is abducted and kept captive for a drawn-out period until the victim’s family or company pays the ransom money set by the kidnapers. Kidnapping in Mexico is a highly-prosperous business; where ransoms of $5 to $6 million are not uncommon. Western business travelers, wealthy vacationists and the local upper class are most often the victims of this method of kidnap for ransom in Mexico. This form of kidnapping is also the best method of money-making for the kidnappers and the most hazardous for the abductees. There are numerous kidnap-related deaths in Mexico each year with and without the ransom being paid. Traditional kidnapping is credible threat of high magnitude in Mexico.
The Use of Express Kidnapping
The local gangs in Mexico use a combination of the traditional method and express kidnapping; whereby the victim is kidnapped and placed into a motor vehicle and force the victim to withdraw money from ATMs until the victim’s bank accounts has been depleted. Victims are normally abducted for a limited period (a few hours to a few days). Western business travelers, wealthy vacationists and the local upper class are most often the victims of express kidnapping in Mexico. This form of kidnapping only produces between several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars in profit for the kidnapers therefore it is mostly used by local gang members and not members of established drug cartels in Mexico. Express kidnapping is credible threat of high magnitude in Mexico.
- Potential Targets
There is a high threat of kidnapping throughout Mexico from financially motivated and driven groups and individuals foreign business personnel and wealthy vacationists are the main potential targets of concern in Mexico. As previously mentioned many kidnappings in Mexico have ended with the death of abductees and continues to grow and spread across the country.
- Reducing the Opportunity
The following are some professional methods of reducing your risk when visiting Mexico.
- Be Low-Profile
While visiting Mexico do not attraction attention to yourself (do not drive in expensive automobiles, wear watches, jewelry, openly display cell-phone or laptops).
- Keep in Touch
Keep in touch with your local office and home corporate office daily. Confirm that a specific person has your itinerary and that you check in with the designated individual on a consistent basis during your trip to Mexico.
- Situational Awareness
Situational awareness can help lessen the risk of kidnapping; keep aware of the things going on around you when visiting Mexico. Ensure you have prearranged safe havens setup a contingency plan (police stations, hotels, hospitals and shopping centers that are known to be safe).
- Operational Security
When in Mexico do not openly discuss your business itinerary in public, only discuss travel plans in known secure areas away from the public’s eyes and ears.
- Unpredictable routines
Very your routes daily to and from your hotel and place of work or meeting venues while in Mexico in a way that is not easily predictable. However, your driver should not drive on back streets or in the rundown sections of the city, he should keep to the city and commercial thoroughfares for safety.
- FAM Security Drivers
Because a substantial percentage of the kidnappings in Mexico involves transportation FAM provides skilled, competent, professional security drivers to assure your safety when traveling the Mexican roads, highways and byways during business trips.
- FAM Personal Security Agents
Because Mexico is a fundamentally unpredictable and a dangerous place, where the risk of kidnapping is assessed at high with rampant police corruption (Mexican police officers have been involved in recent kidnapping incidents) FAM provides professionally trained personal security agents to ensure the safety of business travelers to Mexico.
Conclusion
Follow the advice in this article, however keep in mind that the visit to Mexico involves the potential of high kidnap risks that may be difficult to overcome with certainty. Consult with FAM INTL and seriously consider the use of specialized services and personnel. The probability that these will prove effective is extremely high; ensuring your safety and security while visiting Mexico.
Contact FAM
FAM International Security
Address: 5400 South University Drive, Suite 402,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-5314
Phone: +1 954-252-0166
Fax: +1 954-252-8308
Toll Free: 888.326.0070
Email: info@faminternational.com
Website Address: www.faminternational.com
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- …
- 18
- Next Page »