Utilities & Critical Infrastructure
Patrols, camera towers and on-site officers for substations, service yards, pump stations and remote infrastructure — supporting the utility’s own physical security plan.
Substations, yards and remote sites.
Many sites, one patrol plan.
Towers for off-grid sites.
Logs that support your plan.
Quick answer
Large transmission owners and operators must follow NERC CIP-014 for qualifying substations — risk assessment, third-party verification, threat evaluation and a physical security plan. Across all utility sites, the most common problems are metal theft and vandalism; in California, maliciously cutting or damaging electrical, telephone or cable lines (including backup batteries and power supplies) is a crime under Penal Code §591. Contract security supports the utility’s plan with patrols, monitoring and on-site officers.
The challenge
Infrastructure is spread out, often unstaffed, and critical when it fails.
Substations and pump stations far from police response.
Copper theft damages equipment and causes outages.
Contractors must support the utility’s physical security plan precisely.
Coverage options
Combine services into one program.
Our standards
The same standard on every shift.
Duties and escalation contacts approved by you.
Timestamped photos and notes.
Unannounced visits.
Guard Card and background check.
Before you hire
Here is how we answer.
| Ask the vendor | Safeguard On Demand |
|---|---|
| Can you support our CIP-014 plan? | Yes — officers and patrols follow the measures in your plan; the plan itself stays with the utility. |
| Can you patrol many remote sites? | Yes, with route patrols and GPS-verified check-ins. |
| Do you offer camera towers? | Yes, solar-powered and monitored. |
| Will we get documentation? | Yes — patrol logs and incident reports. |
| Do you provide fire watch? | Yes, when systems are impaired. |
| Is there a long-term contract? | No long-term contract. |
Who we protect
Statewide
Served from the office nearest your site, with officers across 13 California counties.
How it works
A short, documented process.
01
Property, hours and incident history reviewed.
02
Duties and contacts written and approved.
03
Officers learn the site before day one.
04
Shift reports and regular check-ins.
Choosing coverage
For many scattered sites, route patrols with GPS check-ins are the most efficient coverage. Sites without power or cameras benefit from solar camera towers with live monitoring. Critical or high-risk sites may need an on-site officer.
Federal & California rules
NERC CIP-014 applies to transmission owners with qualifying stations and substations (500 kV and above, and certain 200–499 kV sites) and to transmission operators. Covered entities must perform a risk assessment, obtain third-party verification, evaluate threats and implement a physical security plan.
California Penal Code §591 makes it a crime to maliciously cut, remove or obstruct electrical, telephone or cable lines, including backup batteries and power supplies. Copper theft valued over $950 is grand theft under Penal Code §487j.
Every officer must hold a BSIS Guard Card and work for a licensed private patrol operator — 8 hours of Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force training before registration, 32 more hours within six months, and 8 hours of continuing training every year. Verify any company or officer on the state’s DCA License Search.
Budgeting
We do not publish one-size rates. These factors move the price.
24/7, nights only or business hours.
Armed posts cost more.
Patrols cost less than full-time posts.
Acreage, buildings and entrances.
Site history and neighborhood.
Short-term vs. ongoing.
A reliability standard requiring physical security plans for qualifying transmission substations.
Yes — Penal Code §591 covers malicious damage to power, telephone and cable lines.
Yes, with route patrols and GPS check-ins.
Yes, for sites without power or cameras.
Across 13 California counties from offices in Santa Ana, Los Angeles (Northridge), San Diego, the Inland Empire, Sacramento and Silicon Valley.
