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We wish Pete much success!
Keeping his hand in the game
Retired police chief now owns the first Signal 88 Security franchise in Pennsylvania
Friday, November 20, 2009 By GRETCHEN METZ, Staff Writer
There is a new sheriff in town.Peter Mango, the former chief of police in East Fallowfield, is the new owner of a Signal 88 Security franchise, the first in the commonwealth.
Signal 88 Security's niche is the gap between the large security companies and the small, local security shops.
"The flagship product is the roving patrol," said the 54-year-old Mango, who described the service as patrol personnel who check, for example, on a client's property's open gates and unlocked doors.
Patrol personnel are accountable to clients. They file real-time reports created on site during each contracted service. Clients have access to the report through a password-protected Web site designed specifically for them.
Signal 88 also uses TeleNav Track, a comprehensive Global Positioning System, or GPS, that manages mobile work forces. TeleNav produces a report that clients can also review, Mango said.
The private security industry's reputation has soured over the years.
"The typical problems are people sleeping through their shift, or they are in the parking lot watching TV or not showing up for their shift," Mango said.
With Signal 88's technology, there is a documented breadcrumb trail for clients to review.
Typical clients would be shopping centers, corporate centers and homeowner associations, Mango said.
Signal 88 Security of Octorara is the
only franchise in Pennsylvania, but Mango hopes to change that.
In addition to running his own franchise, Mango said he will build Security 88's brand in Pennsylvania. For that, he would receive a percentage of new franchising fees and a percentage of sales revenue from those franchisees that he recruits.
The franchising fee starts at $25,000, which includes training, uniforms and executive wear, and ongoing support from Signal 88, headquartered in Omaha, Neb. Support was the selling point for Mango.
Signal 88 territories encompass an area with a population of 100,000. Franchises are owned and operated by former law enforcement personnel.
Franchise owners purchase new Nissan Xterras that come with signal bars, console computers and are wrapped with Signal 88 logos. The cost of the small sport utility vehicles is on top of the franchising fee, Mango said.
Xterras sell for $22,000 to $28,350, according to Nissan's Web site.
"They are advertising and a deterrent," Mango said.
Signal 88 personnel and vehicles do not participate in high-speed pursuits.
"We are not police, not 911 and do not handle domestic disputes," Mango said. "We observe and report."
Mango, a retired police officer with 25 years of service and a licensed private detective, is licensed to carry arms. His second-in-command, Tony Sparano, a retired Coatesville police sergeant after 18 years, is also armed. In general, Mango said, personnel do not carry weapons.
Mango believes with municipal cutbacks and police departments doing more with fewer resources, services delivered by Signal 88 will be an asset to the community.
Thus far, the reaction from the law enforcement community is "very positive," Mango said.
Scott Bohn, West Chester's police chief as well as president of the Chester County Police Chiefs Association, agrees there is increased pressure for traditional police services as well as Homeland Security activities — all to be carried out with fewer dollars in municipal budgets.
There are opportunities for police to work with private security, which are sometimes first responders, Bohn said. Police can assist in training security personnel and both sides can gain new expertise, Bohn said.
While working in East Fallowfield as police chief, Mango was assigned to a countywide drug task force. He then served 10 years as a K-9 officer, and finally five years in a multi-jurisdictional SWAT team.
In his last year with the team, he became team commander.
Mango and his wife, Jeannette, live in Parkesburg. They have two children and Mango's retired K-9 partner, Taz.
