From Local Police to Private Guards: The Rise of the Security Guard Industry in Maryland

In this series, Capital News Service reporters investigate declining law enforcement numbers and the rise of private security in Maryland, uncovering regulation gaps, misconduct, upcoming reform, and police-guard relations.

While reporting on this series, I also had the opportunity to visually document our work.

Shot with a Nikon 7500

CNS reporter Rachel McCrea walks with private security officer Brian Askew at Federal Hill Park

Brian Askew, in his uniform, wears a bulletproof vest with a body camera. Visible on his duty belt is a handgun, badge, magazine holder, and Taser.

Brian Askew stands for a portrait before departing Royal Farms while on patrol. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Askew is in his car, looking out the front window, engaging with an individual stopping by as he drives his car in the opposite direction.

Park visitor asks Askew for directions. Residents frequently stop by the car to say hi Askew. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Brian Askew stands for a portrait, facing forward, at night.

Brian Askew wears a bulletproof vest with a body camera. Visible on his duty belt is a handgun, badge, magazine holder, and Taser. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Brian Askew sips a tea-based drink from a mason jar inside his vehicle.

Brian Askew drinks his homemade tea-based beverage. He produces enough to share with “Big Mama Mary” and “Cousin Ruth.” (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Despite loving to cook, Askew doesn’t always have the opportunity. One of his favorite meals in the field is the chicken at Royal Farms.

Askew and Colyns speak with a Baltimore Police officer late on a Saturday night next to Federal Hill Park. The Baltimore City skyline glistens in the background.

Askew and Colyns speak with a Baltimore Police officer after Askew saw a car hit parked vehicles late on a Saturday night. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Askew talks to “Cousin Ruth,” an employee at a Royal Farms, in front of the checkout counter at the store.

Askew talks to “Cousin Ruth” weeks after a patron assaulted her – before his patrol started for the season. Askew maintains a presence at the Royal Farms to help deter crime. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Askew’s white police cruiser is stationed on a sidestreet at dusk.

Askew’s patrol car “Big Bertha” is an old police cruiser he recently purchased from a local dealership. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Brian Askew sends live alerts to the surveillance unit on Federal hill

Brian Askew, in uniform, stands at the 7-11 counter looking at his cell phone while on duty. Mary Rowe is on the opposite side of the counter, conversing with Askew.

Askew talks to Mary Rowe, affectionately known as “Big Mama Mary,” a veteran employee of a 7-Eleven with increased retail theft. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Brian Askew, in uniform, stands on the edge of Federal Hill Park, looking out over onto the Baltimore City landscape.

Brian Askew overlooks the Key Highway and Rash Field Park in Baltimore City .(Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Alex Godfrey stands in front of Ross Dress For Less, looking out into the Laurel Lakes Centre parking lot on a sunny afternoon.

Alex Godfrey observes the parking lot at the Laurel Lakes Centre during his shift on a Saturday afternoon. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Robbie Wright speaks with three students. The back of his shirt reads, “RECRUITER.”

Robbie Wright, Baltimore County Police Cpl., speaks with students attending a criminal justice fair at Community College of Baltimore County (Alisha Camacho/CNS).

The District of Columbia's police department are offering a $25K hiring bonus

Robbie Wright speaks with a prospective student

Robbie Wright shakes hands with Towson University student Jason Shank.

Robbie Wright speaks with Towson University student, Jason Shank, who’s considering a career in forensics. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Criminal justice lecturer, Caprice Smith, engages in conversation with student Devlin Green Jr. and Cpl. Robbie Wright from a booth during Law Day at Stevenson University.

Devlin Green Jr. reconnects with Cpl. Robbie Wright at Law Day at Stevenson University after speaking together the year prior, with Caprice Smith to the right. Smith is a lecturer at Stevenson University and retired special investigator with Baltimore Police. Green is a junior interning with homeland security at the Baltimore Field Office. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Officer Edwin Monarrez, in uniform, stands for a portrait in front of his police vehicle while on shift at the Laurel Police Department early in the morning during an overcast day.

Officer Edwin Monarrez stands in front of his police vehicle while on shift at the Laurel Police Department. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)

Officer Edwin Monarrez with the Laurel Police Department helps patrol the Laurel Lakes Shopping Centre, waiting for calls from security guards. (Alisha Camacho/CNS)