Security Guard Threatens to Blow Up the NBA?

A  private security guard has just been charged with making false bomb threats against the NBA.  19 year old Jose Quesda, Jr. provided security for the NBA’s Secaucus office and allegedly made several calls from his cell phone over a 3 day period.

On a voice mail he was stated to have left the following: “ I put a bomb outside. Gonna kill all the NBA. I put a bomb outside in the bush. No way out. Gonna blow up at 9 o’clock in the morning. Good luck.” At which time the building was evacuated and the bomb squad called in.

Yeah, that was Smart.

For the full story, click HERE.

Bombing Kills 64 World Cup Fans

Two suicide bombers suspected of being affiliated with Al-Qaida initiated an attack in Uganda that left 64 people dead and over 50 more injured.  The attacked focused on fans gathered to watch the final game of the World Cup at a restaurant and a rugby club.

Uganda’s government spokesman said the first blast occurred at the Ethiopian Village restaurant at 10:55 p.m. Two more blasts happened at the rugby field 20 minutes later, he said.

One American has been killed and 14 others injured in the attack.

For the full tragic story, click HERE.

*The photo above was taken during my recent trip to South Africa where I accompanied a client attending the 2010 World Cup.  Mandela’s Square in Johannesburg is a popular place for spectators who are not going to the actual game, and  illustrates the massive crowds that terrorist consider soft targets.

Guarding the Greens (or Not)

So yesterday the ICON guys got a chance to let their hair down a little and represent the agency “Tiger Woods Style” at the Northfield Police Department’s Golf Tournament.   Alas, because it was a busy Monday, I couldn’t make it out of the office to join them*.  What I do know is that the caddies felt very safe!

ICON Rapid Reaction Golf Team

*(I actually think I have a lifelong ban from the sport due to crashing a few too many carts!)

Work hard, play hard

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Former NFL Star, Steve McNair Murdered

Former National Football League quarterback Steve McNair has been killed by what police said was a fatal gunshot wound to the head. An unidentified woman was also found shot nearby. For the full story, click HERE.

Around the World in 30 Days

From China to the DNC to the RNC to the NFL Kick-off to LA to the Obama/McCain Service Forum in NYC.  It’s been a crazy 30 days.  Thanks to everyone at ICON that kept the plates spinning to make the assignments a success, and keeping all the clients happy. 

Now back to the moutain of paperwork that’s accumulated.  uggh.</p

Where’s Waldo?

Has it really been 30 days since my last Blog update?

It must have been a really busy month.

Oh yeah, wait, it was.

More to come.

Guarding The Olympic Stars

“Next month, a delegation of nearly 1,200 U.S. athletes, coaches and support staff will make their way to Beijing, China, for the Olympics games. Behind the scenes, United States Olympic Committee Chief Security Officer Larry Buendorf will be keeping a close eye on the games, making sure that the four years he’s spent making security preparations with local authorities keep the Olympians and their handlers safe.”

Read the full profile at SecurityInfoWatch.com.

Australian Bodyguard Profiled

“He walked side by side with seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong during some of the most tense and risky moments of the American’s cycling career. But the worst fate Serge Borlee was charged with protecting Armstrong from was not losing the Tour – it was losing his life. “Some people wanted to hit him. Some people want to kill him. We really had a lot of problems and that is why he needed a person close to him,” Borlee, Armstrong’s former bodyguard, says.”

An interesting profile on Serge Borlee, former bodyguard of Lance Armstrong. I’ve worked with several sports figures in my career, but never a cyclist. While I have never met Mr. Borlee, I give him a lot of respect for keeping up with clients who always get to ride while you run!

Click the excerpt for the full story.

NBA Team Asks Player To Hire A Bodyguard

Indiana Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley knows he is a lucky man. Less than two weeks after the former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was shot and killed by an intruder in his home, Tinsley’s car was sprayed with bullets from an assault rifle outside an Indianapolis hotel…Prompted by the Pacers, Tinsley hired a bodyguard who travels with him everywhere.

“The list of crimes against professional athletes — apparently targeted for their wealth — has grown in recent months. In July, Knicks forward Eddy Curry was robbed at gunpoint in his home in suburban Chicago, a few weeks after Antoine Walker of the Minnesota Timberwolves was similarly victimized in another Chicago neighborhood. Last weekend, Atlanta Hawks forward Shelden Williams was carjacked as he left an Atlanta barbershop.”

– Bravo to the team for really pushing the suggestion, and the player for accepting it.  (Here’s hoping that its a professional and not a “buddyguard”.)  Knee-jerk reaction or the emergence of much needed security procedures?

Other players and league officials, please take note.

Related topics:

Sports Athletes Make Inviting Targets

Pro Athletes In Dire Need of Professional Security

Violence Against Players…How does it end?

The Most Dangerous Cities For Pro Athletes

Sports Athletes Make Inviting Targets For Crime

Percy Allen of the Seattle Times writes a great article about professional athletes and the $$$ criminals think of when they see them.

It’s impossible to find reliable statistics on the number of crime victims in the NBA, NFL, Major League Baseball and the NHL. But since Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce was nearly stabbed to death in 2000, more than two dozen professional athletes reportedly have been murdered, robbed or victimized, including Los Angeles Clippers guard Cuttino Mobley; retired NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson; former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson, who was shot to death in an apparent carjacking in November 2003; and basketball player Julius Hodge.  Click on the link for the full story.

 An Athlete having personal security won’t solve every problem, but spending money on security before  the 3rd (or 4th) car sounds like an investment that would pay a much greater return in the long run.