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Foreclosed & Bank-Owned Property
Banks and lenders trust us to guard their San Diego assets while they manage from out of state. Daily photo reports, immediate squatter response, 24/7 coverage.
Specialty Service Learn more →⭐ Founded by a Retired CVPD Officer · Protecting San Diego Since 2002
A Retired Chula Vista PD Officer Now Protects
San Diego's Toughest Properties.
I'm Michael. I spent 15 years on patrol and in investigations at the Chula Vista Police Department before I founded MT Security in 2002. Today my team protects HOAs, vacant properties, construction sites, churches, schools, and events across San Diego County — and we still answer the late-night calls personally. Licensed. Bonded. Insured. Same-day dispatch available.
🛡️ Armed & Unarmed Guards
🔍 Licensed Private Investigators
⚡ 24/7 Same-Day Dispatch
✅ CA BSIS PPO 14929 · PI 23720
Emergency & Same-Day Service
Need a Security Guard in San Diego Today?
Same-day dispatch. Last-minute bookings. Emergency security guard services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across all of San Diego County.
Same-Day Guard Dispatch
Short notice? No problem. We dispatch licensed security guards the same day across San Diego County — including tonight and on weekends.
24-Hour Emergency Response
Urgent situation? Our emergency line connects you directly to leadership — not a call center. 15–30 minute on-site response across San Diego.
Security Guards Near You
Based in Spring Valley, we cover all of San Diego County. Armed & unarmed guards near you — South Bay to North County, East County to the coast.
Available for urgent private security hire, emergency guard deployment, short-notice event security, and last-minute guard bookings across San Diego.
⬇ Free Download · 2026 Edition · 20-Page Field Guide
Is one of these the problem you're actually trying to solve right now?
After 24 years of taking calls from San Diego property owners, HOA boards, and business managers, these are the questions we hear most often. If any of them match the conversation you’ve been having with yourself — the free guide below was built for you.
What's been on your mind?
- ✓ "I need a security guard near me — and I need one this week."
- ✓ "There's a squatter in my vacant property and the police can't remove them."
- ✓ "Our HOA board is getting pressure — we need better community patrol without blowing the budget."
- ✓ "Our jobsite keeps getting hit — copper theft, tools, fuel. What stops it?"
- ✓ "I think my employee is stealing — I need an internal theft investigation."
- ✓ "I need a workers comp surveillance investigator for a claim that doesn't add up."
- ✓ "We need same-day security for an event this weekend — ours fell through."
- ✓ "I'm getting break-ins, vandalism, or graffiti and the cameras aren't stopping it."
- ✓ "I want a private investigator in San Diego — background check, infidelity, skip trace."
- ✓ "I'm being evacuated for a wildfire — I need post-fire property protection."
- ✓ "I need to know how much an armed vs. unarmed security guard costs in San Diego."
- ✓ "I'm a bank or out-of-state lender — I need foreclosed / REO property security."
Stop Reacting. Start Protecting.
Get the free 20-page survival guide.
A retired Chula Vista PD officer breaks down what's actually causing San Diego's biggest security losses — and the 10 things you can do this week to stop them.
⬇ Download the Free Guide (PDF) Or call us directly: (619) 765-2222
✓ No email required · ✓ Instant download
✓ Real stats, real fixes, real San Diego
✓ Real stats, real fixes, real San Diego
Free 60-Second Quiz
How Vulnerable Is Your Property Right Now?
During the 2024 wildfires, dozens of evacuated San Diego homes were broken into within 48 hours. Foreclosed properties get stripped of copper in days. Take this quick quiz and find out where you stand — no email required.
Question 1 of 5
Risk score: 0
What We Do
Security & Investigation Services in San Diego
From long-term property contracts to one-time events — custom solutions backed by real law enforcement expertise.
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HOA & Community Security
Patrol services, access control, and incident reporting that give residents peace of mind and boards one less thing to worry about.
Recurring Contracts Learn more →🔍
Private Investigation
Licensed investigators for surveillance, background checks, workers comp fraud, infidelity, missing persons, and legal support. Discreet. Reports prepared to court standards.
Licensed PI Learn more →🏗️
Construction Site Security
Your equipment and materials stay where you put them. Armed or unarmed guards, mobile patrol, 24/7 coverage for active job sites.
Armed Available Learn more →⛪
Church & School Security
Trained protection for your most sacred and vulnerable spaces. Threat assessment, active-shooter preparedness, and visible deterrence.
Specialized Training Learn more →🔥
Post-Fire & Disaster Security
We deploy within hours of a wildfire or disaster to prevent looting, document damage, and secure your property.
Rapid Response Learn more →Why San Diego Chooses MT Security
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Proactive, Not Reactive
We stop problems before they start. Law enforcement training means we recognize threats and patterns that untrained guards miss.
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Detailed Incident Reporting
Every engagement includes written reports, timestamped photos, and direct communication — so you always know what's happening on your property.
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Strict Professional Discretion
Whether it's a PI matter or a sensitive business security situation, we handle every engagement with discretion and proper chain of custody.
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Direct Access to Leadership
You're not calling a call center. You have Michael's direct number. He's personally involved in every client relationship.
⭐ 4.9 Average · 47 Verified Reviews
What Our San Diego Clients Say
Real engagements from HOA boards, property managers, banks, and homeowners across San Diego County.
★★★★★
"MT Security protected our foreclosed commercial complex for nearly four months during repositioning. The daily photo reports were invaluable for our records, and their communication was exceptional for an out-of-state owner like us."
★★★★★
"Our HOA board finally feels like we have real protection. Incident reports went from vague logs to detailed, professional documents — and our residents notice the difference."
★★★★★
"I retained MT for a workers comp case that was draining our payroll. They delivered clear, well-documented surveillance footage prepared to the evidentiary standards we needed. The case resolved in our favor inside a few weeks."
Reviews reflect individual client experiences during specific engagements. Outcomes depend on each property's circumstances and are not guaranteed. See more reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before hiring a security company in San Diego.
Unarmed security guards typically run $18–$35 per hour in San Diego, depending on contract length and risk level. Armed guards range from $28–$55 per hour. HOA community patrol contracts generally run $3,000–$10,000 per month depending on community size and patrol frequency. Contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate specific to your situation.
Our founder Michael T. spent 15 years as a Chula Vista Police Department officer, earning multiple awards including the Life Saving Award and Outstanding Officer of the Year. We don't just hire guards — we apply real law enforcement instincts to every engagement. That means proactive threat assessment, not reactive incident response.
Yes. Out-of-state lenders and property managers are some of our most frequent clients. We can typically deploy within 24–48 hours of contact and provide daily written reports with timestamped photos — giving you full visibility without needing to be on-site.
Yes. We provide both armed and unarmed security guards, depending on your risk profile and situation. Armed guards are available for high-risk commercial properties, large events, asset protection, and situations requiring enhanced deterrence.
We serve all of greater San Diego County, including Spring Valley, Chula Vista, La Mesa, National City, El Cajon, Santee, Lemon Grove, Poway, Escondido, and all of the City of San Diego. Contact us to confirm coverage for your specific location.
Yes. Our licensed investigators handle surveillance, background checks, workers comp fraud, infidelity, missing persons / skip tracing, and legal support including process service. All work is confidential and prepared to the evidentiary standards used in California civil court.
Yes. MT Security offers same-day and last-minute security guard dispatch across San Diego County. If you need a guard tonight, for a short-notice event, or for an emergency situation, call (619) 765-2222 directly — our 24/7 emergency line is always answered by someone who can deploy. Most same-day requests are fulfilled within a few hours of contact.
Common emergency security situations include: an active squatter or trespasser on your property, a post-fire or disaster evacuation requiring immediate protection, a last-minute event where your planned security fell through, or a commercial property that was broken into. For any urgent private security need, call (619) 765-2222 — we respond within 15–30 minutes and can have a guard on-site the same day.
Get Your Free Security Assessment
Describe your situation and we'll respond within 2 hours with a custom protection plan.
Serving Greater San Diego County
Cities & Communities We Protect
Based in Spring Valley, MT Security & Investigations serves every community across San Diego County — from the South Bay to North County, from East County to the coast.
Spring Valley
Our Headquarters
Chula Vista
South Bay
La Mesa
East County
El Cajon
East County
Poway
North Inland
Carlsbad
North Coastal
Oceanside
North Coastal
La Jolla
Coastal SD
Coronado
Island City
Downtown SD
Gaslamp & East Village
Escondido
North Inland
All 32+ Areas
View all →
Also serving: Lakeside · Alpine · Bonita · Imperial Beach · Pacific Beach · Point Loma · Mission Valley · North Park · Encinitas · Del Mar · Rancho Santa Fe · San Marcos · Temecula · and more →
From Our Blog
Free Guides Written by a 24-Year Operator
Honest answers to the questions San Diego HOAs, property managers, and homeowners ask us most. No fluff. Updated for 2026.
HOA Decision Guide
Should Our HOA Hire Security Guards? A 7-Question Decision Framework
The board memo template that turns the security conversation into a defensible decision in one meeting.
Read the guide →
2026 Rate Card
How Much Does a Security Guard Cost in San Diego?
Real 2026 rates by service type — unarmed, armed, HOA, event, construction. Transparent breakdown with what moves the price.
See the rates →
Decision Guide
Armed vs. Unarmed Security Guards: Which Is Right for You?
An honest comparison — training, cost, liability, when each is the right call. From a former CVPD officer.
Read the comparison →
Vendor Checklist
How to Choose a Security Company (10-Point Checklist)
The licensing, insurance, and reporting checks that protect you before you sign. Use this with any vendor — including us.
See the checklist →
Emergency Prep
San Diego Wildfire Evacuation Property Protection Checklist
Step-by-step prep for before, during, and after evacuation. Save this before fire season.
Read the checklist →
PI Guide
Hiring a Private Investigator in San Diego: What to Know
Cost, confidentiality, evidentiary standards, and process. Written by a licensed California PI firm operating since 2002.
Read the guide →