Assignment #1
Mohammad Dean
2/13/2015
Criminal Justice 1140
Principals of Security Administration

The thought of security is a broad topic which comes off as physical, but is more than tangible. Whether it is securing one self, family or assets it is securing what is most valuable to an individual, a group or enterprise. From the humble beginnings of a small tribe in the Mesopotamia to the great lands of Rome, the development of security and the idea of securing valuable assets was always evident, whether through bloody wars or building of structures such as the temples and pyramids. The behavior can be seen from early development in childhood such that as a toddler. When the toddler is exclaiming “mine” it is an act of protecting what is his or hers. The idea of security has been engraved in our human DNA, so it seems. The history of security advanced from mediocre beginnings to a more superior technology from early history into the twenty first century. What was once a disunified nation of scattered settlements was able to unify with establishing precise security measures from its earliest beginnings of becoming a nation.
The chapter in the book describes security as “achieving safety, protection, and freedom from threats and danger.” In the earlier part of history people built fortresses, watch towers and even great walls like that of China. Ancient times relied on castles built with stone walls high from the ground with moats, relied on scouts on horseback or vulnerable spearmen and even knights as personal security. Ancient times relied on an army for all security measures. There were no security branches to derelict duty and there was no police department or national security department to oversee other areas of a nation’s security needs. The overwhelming task to protect the kingdom or country was left to the ruler, the personal guard and the army. During the colonial times in the United States before its independence from Britain, security was administered by watchmen and volunteers. Just as we see in Western movies, these watchmen in the towns sounded warning bells when there was trouble such as a fire, from bandits or Native Americans. Earlier American security was left to frontier settlements to defend themselves with small militias or civilian formed police. This is much like what was common in the earlier times in history, but now there are certain individuals tasked with this duty. With the independence from Britain, eminent threat remained from rival European nations. The United States at that time had not united the entire nation, nor had the nation been settled from coast to coast or developed a large standing army or navy to counter any attacks domestic or foreign. The nation was in its preliminary stages of becoming a self-sustaining power to deal with these threats. The security task at that time was to create a stronghold. Diplomacy with the creation of the Jay Treaty was one of the earlier security measures the United States sought to deal with foreign conflict. Acquiring land was another means of security which was a necessary task. Thus, the Louisiana Purchase, Acquisition of Oregon, Annexation of Mexico, The Monroe Doctrine and Trail of Tears were accomplished. The Coast Guard was created as a National border security measure. The Coast guard was commissioned with the task of alerting attacks from enemies and to deal with smugglers and those stranded shipwrecked. The U.S. Customs Service was also created to deal with all imported goods and to collect duty or tax much like Britain had done. Gradually, the volunteers and ill-trained watchmen were replaced by trained and well-equipped police. This allowed for growth of population, because now there was a law enforcement department which dealt with security matters and public safety. The introduction of the railroad and its growth contributed to the development and advancement of National security to parts of the American frontier which became more accessible. The railroad companies were powerful private companies and were delegated powerful authority by legislatures, these companies created their own police to protect their interests and wealth. During the Civil War, the federal government relied on these private companies and their private security for its intelligence needs in war. An individual named Allen Pinkerton formed a private company, Pinkerton National Detective Agency, which is regarded as the secret service of that time for the federal Union army. This allowed the United States to track down its enemies and criminals by using the resources allocated through private companies. The private companies had an abundance of financial means and power delegated to them by the federal government of that time. They were able to pursue any investigation beyond their borders, these companies were able to secure national and private assets by means of authority bestowed upon them to confront Jesse James and other looters of banks and railroad thieves.
The United States began its early years as having no security measures in place to establishing a novice infrastructure. With the gradual growth of the nation and acquiring resources, The United States was able to acquire the services of private companies established by experienced businessmen. Using these powerful resources, the United States was able to secure its assets, confront any threat, acquire new lands with the new data of information being gathered and establish itself as an advancing industrial economy through already successful companies.