Protective Force International (PFI), an armed private security firm, has partnered with 18 Las Vegas casinos to bolster security efforts during a busy November, which will see a surge of visitors due to multiple high-profile events, including the national election, FEMA activities, the Formula 1 race, and the Neon City Festival.
Jonathan Alvarez, CEO of PFI, emphasized the importance of rigorous training for his armed officers, stating that military or law enforcement experience alone does not qualify an individual for his team. PFI’s officers undergo regular firearm and virtual reality training at desert ranges to prepare for potential emergencies both on and off the Las Vegas Strip.
“Just because you are a veteran or prior law enforcement doesn’t necessarily qualify you for just having a firearm and being on our team,” said Alvarez. “We want to make sure we have the right team in place when an emergency happens.”
While demand for armed security continues to grow, Alvarez noted that costs remain a challenge for smaller casinos. “Sometimes when casinos are smaller they can’t provide their own resources to start up the program… it is a very expensive program to start,” he explained. PFI often supplements existing casino security during high-traffic events to alleviate the burden on smaller venues.
The necessity for heightened security was underscored in August when an armed security officer stopped a stabbing suspect at Red Rock Casino. Alvarez highlighted this incident as a rare but vital example of the role armed security can play in protecting both casino patrons and staff.
In addition to their on-site presence, PFI operates a dispatch center that employs thermal imaging technology to monitor potential threats. “If we can catch it before or when it starts and deploy teams… then we are already way ahead of the game,” said Alvarez.
Clark County has also requested PFI’s assistance on Election Day, asking the firm to deploy camera systems and patrol polling centers to ensure safety during the voting process.
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