Security guides for San Diego owners, boards and managers
Plain answers to the questions people ask before they hire a security company or an investigator. Written by Michael T., a retired Chula Vista police officer.
Start with your situation
- For HOA boards
HOA security questions, answered
Liability, what guards can legally do, towing, break-ins, patrol versus a posted guard.
- For businesses
Business security questions, answered
What a guard can do, trespassers, patrol or on-site, how many officers you need.
- For event planners
Event security questions, answered
How many guards, wedding cost, alcohol, armed or unarmed, when to book.
All articles
- 2026-05-30
Workplace Violence Prevention for California Businesses: A Practical SB 553 Guide
Workplace violence prevention for California businesses: SB 553 compliance, threat assessment, response planning, and where private security fits in.
- 2026-05-30
Wildfire and Disaster Property Protection for Southern California Businesses
A working playbook for protecting Southern California commercial property during wildfires, floods, evacuations, and the looting wave that follows.
- 2026-05-30
Commercial Property Security in Southern California: A Practical Guide for Business Owners
A working guide to commercial property security in Southern California. What works, what wastes money, and how to build a plan that fits your business.
- 2026-05-26
Should Our HOA Hire Security Guards? A Board's 7-Question Decision Framework (2026)
A 7-question decision framework for HOA boards weighing whether to hire armed or unarmed security in San Diego. From a 24-year licensed operator.
- 2026-05-23
San Diego Wildfire Evacuation: How to Protect Your Property While You Are Gone
A practical wildfire evacuation property protection checklist for San Diego homeowners. Before, during, and after the evacuation. From MT Security.
- 2026-05-23
How to Choose a Security Guard Company in San Diego (10-Point Checklist)
A 10-point checklist for choosing a San Diego security guard company. Licensing, insurance, training, reporting. Written by a former CVPD officer.
- 2026-05-23
How Much Does a Security Guard Cost in San Diego? (2026 Real Pricing)
San Diego security guard pricing in 2026: unarmed $18 to $35/hr, armed $28 to $55/hr, HOA $3K to $10K/mo. Transparent rates from a 24-year operator.
- 2026-05-01
Hiring a Private Investigator in San Diego: What to Know Before You Call (2026)
Hiring a PI in San Diego? What to expect on cost, confidentiality, prepared to court standards evidence, and process. From a licensed CA PI firm since 2002.
- 2026-05-01
HOA Security Patrol in Chula Vista: What to Expect from a Professional Guard Company (2026)
What an HOA security patrol actually looks like in Chula Vista. Coverage, reports, costs, and board questions answered by MT Security.
- 2026-05-01
Armed vs. Unarmed Security Guards in San Diego: Which Is Right for Your Business? (2026)
Should your business or HOA hire armed or unarmed guards? A 2026 decision guide from a 24-year San Diego security operator. Includes cost comparison.
- 2026-01-15
Security Guards in San Diego: The Complete 2026 Guide
The complete 2026 guide to hiring a security guard company in San Diego. Costs, services, licensing, and how to choose. By a 24-year licensed operator.
Talk to the owner, not a call center.
Call any hour. Michael or a supervisor answers, asks a few questions, and you have a written quote within about two hours.