Reno, NV — For property owners frustrated by security services that amount to little more than a car driving through their parking lot, Civil Security Service of Nevada (NVCSS) offers a fundamentally different approach to protecting properties.

"Visual deterrence is the foundation of effective security — if criminals don't take your presence seriously, nothing else matters," said Andy Ng, founder of NVCSS and a security professional since 2012.

"When security shows up in an unmarked economy car with minimal identification, criminals see an opportunity, not an obstacle."

Over the past several decades, Ng says the security industry has settled into patterns that prioritize billing over genuine public safety. Companies routinely assign dozens of properties to lone officers, creating a system where meaningful patrols become mathematically impossible.

"The standard practice has become cruising through properties without stopping, maybe slowing down to take a photo before leaving," Ng explained. "That's not a patrol — that's an overpriced drive-by."

NVCSS takes a different approach. Officers exit their vehicles and conduct actual security checks — examining areas where problems typically occur, looking for signs of forced entry, checking for safety hazards, and addressing issues as they arise. Every patrol is documented via body-worn cameras on the same Axon ecosystem currently in use by Reno and Sparks police departments. Multiple in-car cameras and redundant GPS systems further ensure accountability and accurate incident reporting.

"Real patrol work is active," Ng said. "It's the difference between someone who's in a rush to get to their next stop and someone who's actively working to keep your people and property safe."

Several property managers in Reno and Sparks have expressed frustration with the current state of their own security services.

"A super low price isn’t worth a damn if it doesn't actually do anything to make [the area] safer," said the president of a medium-sized HOA community, who wished to remain anonymous.

"Last month, some guy broke into our laundry room and lived there for three days. Security drove past dozens of times. We only found out when the [intruder] scared the hell out of some kids."

Ng says the industry's lax approach stems from companies viewing their patrol offerings as a numbers game, in which the goal is to "hit" as many properties as possible with the least amount of resources possible. When officers lack proper equipment, training, or even basic incentive to engage with problems, turning a blind eye becomes standard practice.

"Most companies do only what’s needed to check a box and bill the client," Ng observed. "In most cases, that means just showing they were there and that’s it. That's how you end up with a patrol that ignores problems and keeps driving."

Ng's background includes federal security contracts, casino emergency response work, and four years on the Sparks Civil Service Commission, where he served as chair for two years. The commission experience, which was focused on city personnel matters, highlighted the gap between public safety standards and common security practices.

"In public safety, accountability means something. There is oversight," Ng said. "In the security industry, there’s basically no third-party oversight for service quality, so what you get depends almost entirely on the integrity of the provider you've chosen."

NVCSS operates patrols from a marked Ford Interceptor vehicle and maintains equipment standards that enable actual security response rather than just observation. The company also publishes rates transparently on its website, breaking from an industry known for hidden pricing and last-minute negotiation tactics.

"We're not for everyone," Ng acknowledged. "If you're satisfied with economy cars speeding through without stopping, officers who avoid engaging with the communities they patrol — there are plenty of cheaper options.

"Our patrol services are designed to serve those who understand that actual security requires more than the bare minimum."

NVCSS currently serves commercial and residential properties throughout Reno and Sparks, with service and pricing details available at nvpatrol.com.

"Even the lowest price is too high if you don't get what was promised," Ng said. "Are you paying for security, or are you paying for someone to pretend they are?"