Atlas Shrug

Dear Nieces and Nephews, looking at the Ghost of the Government Center, we are reminded of a WWII post-bombing site. We are readily advised, by the tall fencing, the concrete barriers and signage, that NO unauthorized person is permitted in the building and that hardhats are required. Exactly how much damage have the years of neglect foisted upon the county building?

While you may have an image in your mind of a big shell of a Rudolph building poised for pilfering, never fear! Because the County has hired ATLAS SECURITY SERVICES. Just one look at the perimeter and you will see signs boldly proclaiming that the site is protected by Atlas!     

                                          

When did Atlas become the Guardians of all Things County? Back in 2014 according to their press release below. http://atlassecurityservices.us/blogs/).

Thursday, February 6, 2014

 For Immediate Release

Contact: Kara Tonnesen Media Vision Advertising P: 845-294-3228

Atlas Security Services named the sole security provider for Orange County:

Orange County, which sits at the north end of the New York metropolitan area, is part of the State’s Mid-Hudson Region.  Home to over 372,000 residents, it is has been among the fastest growing regions in the metropolitan area.  The government center, located in the county seat of Goshen, NY is among the over 14 locations for which Atlas Security Services has been awarded the sole responsibility of maintaining a safe and secure environment.

February marks the beginning of the contract between Atlas Security Services and the county.  Looking to enhance the security services that are already in place, Atlas Security is excited to begin serving the citizens of Orange County.  The goal is to become more than a uniformed security team; instead they hope to become a resource that the many citizens of Orange County with whom they will interact on a daily basis feel comfortable approaching and utilizing for assistance.  As Scott Perry, Atlas Security Service’s Vice President stated, “After a very successful 2013, we couldn’t ask for a better way to start the New Year than to be selected as the sole Security Provider in the county where Atlas Security Services is headquartered and the majority of our personnel reside.”   He continued, “As a company we look forward to the challenge of providing the very best Security Services to the people of Orange County.  We want to help make the experience at the various County facilities a positive one.”

Atlas Security Services, headquartered in Goshen NY, provides security services throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland.  Their more than 20 year history of providing superior service to corporate and private security clients as well as those in need of discreet investigative services has established them as a proven firm with a reliable work force.  If you would like more information about Atlas Security or the specific services they provide, feel free to contact them for a confidential consultation at 800-646-0438 or email  info@atlassecurityservices.us.  ###

Some interesting things to note:

• This contract was executed in February of 2014? What is the scope of services and the term? Who has a copy? Was this contract put out to bid?
• There does not seem to be any evidence that this contract went through the legislature, therefore, it is not a leap to conclude that Atlas was hired by the County Executive directly. 
• The locations for which they have sole responsibility (?) include the building with the sheriff's office on Wells Farm Road, Valley View and the Government Center. Why do we need a Security team to  “enhance the security services that are already in place”  Don’t we have a County-wide police force known as the Orange County Sheriff and Deputies that is quite capable?
• Does Atlas assume some role in the Department of Corrections as well?
• Is Atlas Security Services, as the sole Security Provider in the county also tasked with doing background checks on county employees and/or new hires?
•  Does Atlas investigate, or participate in any way regarding, corruption and other charges against county employees?
• What does the Legislature know about this? (Remember, search for "Atlas Security Services" on the county website and you will generate 0 results)

"The goal is to become more than a uniformed security team; instead they hope to become a resource that the many citizens of Orange County with whom they will interact on a daily basis feel comfortable approaching and utilizing for assistance".

Why would we need to approach Atlas and ask for assistance? What power have they been assigned?

Why do we need a private security force apparently answerable only to Stevie when we have an independently elected Sheriff? Why do we need Atlas when we have an abundance of police protection via local Police Department's (Town, Village) and NYS Troopers? Did these suddenly become so inadequate that we need private "police"?

So many unanswered questions!

Maybe, Steve just wanted his very own Secret Service.. Just think! A security team to do his “background checks” for him, a good way to eliminate any opposition.

Remember, while Atlas Security Services claims to be friendly and approachable, they are NOT the Police and you should keep that in mind during any interaction with them.

Glimpsing at the political contributions of "Atlas Security Services" we may find the answers to some of our questions.

Contributor	Amt	Contr. Date	Recipient	Filing	Sched	Office	Dist	County	Municipality
ATLAS SECURITY PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	250.00	10-DEC-12	FRIENDS OF DESTEFANO	2013 January Periodic	B	Mayor	NA	Orange	Middletown
ATLAS SECURITY INC PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	500.00	19-AUG-14	FRIENDS OF STEVE NEUHAUS	2015 January Periodic	B	County Executive	NA	Orange	Chester
ATLAS SECURITY SERVICES PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	250.00	26-SEP-14	BRABENEC FOR ASSEMBLY	2014 32 Pre General	B	Member of Assembly	98	N/A	N/A
ATLAS SECURITY SERVICES PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	100.00	07-NOV-13	COMMITTEE TO ELECT LEIGH J. BENTON	2013 27 Post General	B	County Legislator	16	Orange	Orange
ATLAS SECURITY SERVICES PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	250.00	15-APR-13	FRIENDS OF J. MIGUEL RODRIGUES	2013 July Periodic	B	Alderperson	NA	Orange	Middletown
ATLAS SECURITY SERVICES PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	250.00	27-JUL-12	FRIENDS OF STEVE NEUHAUS	2013 January Periodic	B	County Executive	NA	Orange	Chester
ATLAS SECURITY SERVICES PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	100.00	08-NOV-13	HOOVLER FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY	2013 27 Post General	A	District Attorney	NA	Orange	Orange
ATLAS SECURITY SERVICES PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	300.00	13-MAY-14	ORANGE COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE	2014 July Periodic	C	N/A	NA	Orange	N/A
ATLAS SECURITY SERVICES INC PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	2,000.00	20-MAY-14	FRIENDS OF STEVE NEUHAUS	2014 July Periodic	B	County Executive	NA	Orange	Chester
ATLAS SECURITY SERVICES, INC. PO BOX 270 GOSHEN, NY 10924	100.00	19-JUN-14	DUBOIS FOR SHERIFF	2014 July Periodic	B	Sheriff	NA	Orange	Orange
Total Contributions	4,100.00

Oracle found [ 10 ] records matching



P.S. Also displayed on the Atlas Security Services website is the following:

 

Is Atlas protecting Maudlin Maureen, the Wisconsin Water Baby, too? Is OC Partnership an "Orange County Government location"? No, Orange County Partnership" is a non-profit organization focused on Economic Business Development in Orange County, NY." Did they "develop" Atlas? What benefits did Atlas receive? Or is Atlas somehow endorsed by the partnership? Exactly what is the relationship between Atlas and OC Partnership? Did Maureen "suggest" that Atlas provide security for the Water Park in Wallkill?

Is this some kind of inside joke? Did some body plant this? Anything to do with a Mr. Roth?