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Security firms report surge in help requests

Real estate and other company executives flooded security firms on Monday with requests for advice and more armed guards in the face of the new warning of possible bomb attacks on financial targets, officials said.

Bo Dietl, founder of investigative and security services firm Beau Dietl & Associates Inc, said his firm had been inundated with calls from corporate clients since the Sunday announcement of a heightened terror alert in New York, New Jersey and Washington.

"They all wanted to find out what they can do to deal with the current threat," Dietl said.

He and other security providers said they had received requests for audits of companies' current security plans, advice on what to look for, more security professionals and barriers.

Christopher Grniet, vice president of security consulting and engineering at Kroll Inc, a part of Marsh & McLennan Cos Inc, said many companies had already implemented the quick-fixes that could be done at little cost and were now looking to shore up longer-term programs more quickly.

Such measures often require huge budgetary commitments, including for a complete new plan for security.

Corporations and financial institutions also were signing up for more protection from armed security officials and local police.

The security executives said they expected corporations to spend more to protect employees and property, but it remained to be seen if the initial flurry of calls would turn into ongoing business.

Citigroup Inc, one of the firms named by the government as a potential target, and other large banks declined to detail security arrangements, but several companies said they had increased checks at their front doors and vigilance overall.

The New York Stock Exchange and Prudential Financial's Newark, New Jersey, building, were also named as potential targets.

Jerry Gibson, director of sales and marketing for Atlanta-based SecureUSA, said business was strong.

"It's hard to conceive it being busier than it's already been," Gibson said.

He reported solid demand for items such as bollards, or tubes that come out of the ground to keep cars from entering a certain area.

Despite the new threat, New York Stock Exchange chief executive John Thain declared the Big Board "open for business" as trading began on Monday.

"We intend to keep the exchange functioning ... and we are very comfortable with keeping our employees safe," Thain said.

Over the weekend, the security companies said they received calls from mostly New York and Washington based companies, but Grniet expected a pick-up across the US because many of the organizations named as potential targets have large domestic and international holdings.
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