Three weeks after Milton hit, I’m driving through downtown Sarasota checking on clients’ businesses. Half the street lights still don’t work, piles of debris everywhere, lots of places still boarded up.
Pull up to a restaurant on Main Street – owner hired armed guards right after the storm. The place is busy, customers feel safe, and employees showed up for work. Two blocks down, another restaurant that didn’t get security? Still closed, the owner says he’s dealing with break-ins and vandalism while trying to rebuild.
Hurricanes don’t just bring wind and water. They bring opportunities for people who want to take advantage when nobody’s watching.
What Really Happened After Milton and Helene
$375 million in damage from Milton alone in Sarasota County. Add $305 million from Helene two weeks earlier. Thousands of businesses were damaged, some destroyed completely.
But here’s what the news didn’t cover much – the crime that followed.
In neighboring Pinellas County, sheriff’s deputies arrested 45 people for looting in just three weeks after the storms. Armed robbery, burglary, grand theft, vandalism. Most weren’t local – they came from other states knowing police would be overwhelmed.
One sheriff said he’d “never seen this influx of people from out of the area that are clearly just here to steal and pilfer.” These weren’t desperate locals looking for food. These were organized criminals targeting vulnerable businesses and homes.
Why Armed Security Matters During Recovery
Been doing hurricane security for 12+ years. Every major storm, same thing happens. First few days, everyone’s focused on immediate damage. Then criminals show up.
Police are stretched thin. After Milton, Sarasota police were dealing with traffic signals down, road closures, emergency calls. Couldn’t patrol every damaged business.
Properties are vulnerable. Broken windows, damaged doors, no power for alarms. Easy targets for anyone walking by.
Contractors and workers everywhere. Hard to tell who belongs and who’s scoping the place for later.
Cash businesses especially targeted. Restaurants, retail stores, any place that might have money or valuable inventory sitting unprotected.
Recovery takes months. This isn’t a few days of risk. Businesses on Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island are still rebuilding from both storms.
Armed vs Unarmed for Hurricane Security
Regular times, unarmed security works fine for most businesses. Hurricane recovery is different.
Criminals get more desperate. People who lost everything in the storm might try anything. Others come from out of state specifically to take advantage.
Police response is slow. Roads blocked, emergency services busy, might take 20-30 minutes for cops to respond to non-life-threatening calls.
Stakes are higher. Business owner already lost thousands to storm damage. Can’t afford to lose whatever inventory, equipment, or cash they have left.
Deterrent effect stronger. Criminals looking for easy targets. Armed guard sends clear message – this place is protected.
Had a client with a construction equipment yard near Sarasota. After Irma few years back, thieves took $40,000 worth of generators and tools while owner was dealing with insurance claims. This time, hired armed guards immediately after Milton. Nobody even tried to mess with his stuff.
Real Examples from Sarasota Area
Marina on Longboat Key: Owner evacuated before Milton, came back to find boats vandalized and equipment stolen. Hired armed security for the cleanup phase. No more problems.
Retail store downtown: Windows blown out, merchandise exposed. Unarmed guard couldn’t stop group of guys who showed up at 2 AM. Switched to armed guard, attempted break-ins stopped.
Restaurant in Gulf Gate: Lost power for two weeks, trying to save what food they could. Armed guard prevented three separate attempts to break into the walk-in coolers.
Auto dealership on Tamiami Trail: Cars damaged by flooding, lot full of debris. Armed security services prevented theft of undamaged vehicles and copper wiring from the buildings.
The Insurance Reality
Most people don’t know this – some insurance companies require armed security for certain claims. If you’ve got a building with storm damage and valuable contents, insurer might mandate security before they’ll cover additional theft.
Had a client whose insurance company said they’d deny any theft claims after the hurricane if he didn’t have professional security in place. Armed guard cost $25/hour. Potential theft losses? Hundreds of thousands.
What Armed Guards Actually Do During Recovery
Not just standing around with guns. Good hurricane security involves:
Perimeter control – Keeping unauthorized people away from damaged property.
Contractor supervision – Making sure repair crews are legitimate and authorized.
Inventory protection – Securing whatever merchandise, equipment, or supplies survived the storm.
Employee safety – Staff feel safer coming to work when there’s professional security.
Insurance documentation – Guards provide detailed reports for claims.
Coordination with police – When something does happen, armed guards can detain suspects until officers arrive.
Costs vs Losses
Armed security costs: $25-35/hour in Sarasota area during emergency periods.
For 12 hours/day coverage: $300-420 daily, $2,100-2,940 weekly.
Sounds expensive until you compare it to potential losses:
- Inventory theft: $5,000-50,000+
- Equipment stolen: $10,000-100,000+
- Vandalism damage: $2,000-20,000+
- Insurance deductible increases
- Lost business during extended closure
- Employee retention problems
Restaurant owner in Siesta Village told me, “Security guard for three weeks cost me $8,000. But I would’ve lost everything without him.”
Criminals Know the Pattern
Talked to detectives who work hurricane crimes. The same groups hit multiple areas after major storms. They know:
- Which businesses are most vulnerable
- When police patrols are lightest
- How to spot places without security
- What equipment and inventory to target
They avoid armed security. Why take the risk when there are easier targets?
One detective said, “These guys aren’t looking for confrontation. They want quick, easy scores. Armed guard makes them move to the next place.”
Legal Considerations in Florida
Florida has strong laws protecting property owners and security personnel. During state of emergency, penalties for looting are enhanced. Getting caught stealing during hurricane recovery means serious jail time.
But having to defend your property yourself puts you at legal risk. Armed security guards are trained, licensed, insured. They know how to handle situations legally.
Business owner who shoots someone breaking in might face months of legal problems even if justified. Professional armed guard? That’s their job, they’re trained for it.
When You Actually Need Armed Security
Not every business needs armed guards after hurricanes. But these situations definitely do:
- Valuable inventory exposed due to storm damage
- Cash businesses with compromised security systems
- Equipment yards, storage facilities
- Businesses in isolated areas
- High-end retail, jewelry, electronics
- Any business that was specifically targeted before
Also consider it if:
- Police told you they can’t provide regular patrols
- Insurance company requires security
- You’ve had problems with vagrants or trespassers
- Employees refuse to work without security
What to Look for in Hurricane Security
Experience with disaster response. Hurricane security is different from regular business security.
Proper licensing and insurance. In Florida, armed guards need specific certifications.
24/7 availability. Problems don’t happen only during business hours.
Good communication. Need detailed reports for insurance and police.
Local knowledge. Guards familiar with Sarasota area, know which neighborhoods have problems.
Coordination with authorities. Should work with local police, not against them.
Service Areas
USA Security & Protection Group LLC provides hurricane armed security throughout Southwest Florida:
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Weston, Plantation, Port Saint Lucie, Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, Fort Myers – and Sarasota area including Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island.
We’ve worked hurricane security since 2013. Know what businesses face during recovery periods.
Don’t Wait Until You Need It
Hurricane season runs through November. We’re not done yet this year. And even if no more storms hit, Sarasota businesses are still recovering from Milton and Helene.
Smart business owners are already planning security for future storms. Not waiting until they’re dealing with damage and desperate.
Call us at (954) 477-1088 or email USACURITYPROGROUPLLC@GMAIL.COM to discuss hurricane security planning for your Sarasota business.
We’ll assess your vulnerabilities, plan for different storm scenarios, and set up security that activates when you need it.
After 12+ years watching businesses get hit during hurricane recovery, I know the ones that plan ahead do way better than the ones that hope for the best.
Your business survived the storm. Don’t let criminals finish what the hurricane started.
