PInow.com Weekly News Round-up

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This week, the PInow.com staff was intrigued by these industry news stories:

Drug War Creates a Need for PI Help in Texas

EL PASO, TX – PI Jay J. Armes is based in El Paso, but claims that the drug war in Juarez, Mexico is the source of most of his business. He notes that in the past year he has received many calls from people eager to find missing loved ones and seeking protection. Most of the calls have been made because a loved one is involved in the drug war and is either in danger or has already gone missing. In the past 12 months, Armes says he has seen 70 kidnapping cases, most related to the drug trade in Juarez.

Security Firms and Services in Big Demand and Retail Crime Rates Grow

SAN JOSE, CA - With the current economic situation, many retail companies are reporting higher-than-normal retail crime rates and more instances of shoplifting. This has many stores seeking security solutions, a fact that has many security companies and PIs busy. Creative Security Co. Inc. will be hiring up to 150 new employees over the next six months to cope with growing demand for on-site retail security. Law enforcement statistics in San Jose add credence to the growing shoplifting trend. The total number of shoplifting arrests was approximately 2,400 in 2008, up from 2,117 in 2007 and 2,160 in 2006. The Retail Industry Leaders Association reported that 84 percent of stores polled showed increased rates of theft and shoplifting in 2008.

From DA to PI

ALAMOSA, CO - District Attorney Investigator Shawn Woods will be leaving his job in the near future as he will be starting a new PI firm, GWI Investigative Services, with law enforcement expert and co-worker John Gonzales. In fact, a number of professionals in the DA office - including the current DA - will be joining the private sector when new District Attorney David Mahonee takes office this week.

Unicoi County PI Doesn’t Get Much Competition

UNICOI COUNTY, TN - Elizabeth Black is the only PI in Unicoi County. She uses a .38 handgun, gadgets and disguises while running her own PI business and solving cases. After earning a degree in criminal justice from East Tennessee State University, she has studied psychology and social work before starting her own business. Clients have included the government of Thailand, various insurance providers, the government of Tennessee and suspicious spouses. She notes that her appearance - Black is a grandmother - makes her less suspicious to those she is investigating.

Personal Information Still Being Released in Arizona

PHOENIX, AZ - Although officials have announced that personal information will be withheld on police reports in Phoenix to prevent possible identity theft, it seems that city employees are still adjusting to the new routine. Clerks are still releasing Social Security numbers, addresses, birth dates and other personal information on reports. PIs have voiced worries that suppressing personal information on records could create problems in their profession as PIs rely on public records for information. Despite these concerns, the state has gone ahead with plans to limit public access to some forms of information available in court records.

Industry Events

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