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Team 4: Pittsburgh Companies Work Together For G-20 VIPs' Security, Transportation

President Obama Bringing Global Economic Summit To City

POSTED: 5:02 pm EDT July 6, 2009
UPDATED: 10:15 am EDT July 20, 2009

As many as 15,000 protesters are expected to be in Pittsburgh for the G-20 summit in September, and the Secret Service is working with local and state police to come up with a security plan.

Team 4 investigative reporter Jim Parsons learned that there's a separate plan among several private security and transportation companies that are pooling their resources to create a one-stop shop for VIPs who will be traveling to Pittsburgh.

The CEOs of six Pittsburgh companies came together at Voyager Jet near the Allegheny County Airport on Monday to demonstrate for Team 4 the services and products -- like an electronic de-bugging device -- that they'll be ready to employ for G-20 dignitaries.

"I would be able to do a scan, identify a frequency, target where that transmission is coming from, to be able to extract that device," said Joe Simms, of USA Special Services.

Whatever visiting dignitaries will need while in Pittsburgh for the G-20 summit -- whether it's a charter jet to get here, a limousine once they're on the ground, or de-bugging equipment and bomb-sniffing dogs for security concerns -- you name it, this consortium has put it together.

"Things can happen and, I mean, we pulled a group of companies together where we're looking to make Pittsburgh a little bit safer," said Bob Arnoni, of Specialized Security Response.

From armed bodyguards to K-9 bomb detection to instant background checks on hotel employees, each security firm in the group brings a different level of expertise.

"I've spent the past five years doing personal protection in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Mark Ballas, of Specialized Security Response.

While local and federal police are making plans to handle security for domestic and foreign heads of state, the private firms are handling security and transportation for lower-level foreign delegates and corporate CEOs and their family members.

"One company can't do this by itself. It takes a collective effort and a quality effort from companies in Pittsburgh, and these are quality companies that have come together," said Chuck King, of Investigations by King.

Already, their services are getting booked.

"One country alone booked 20 to 25 passenger buses with us," said Jamie Campolongo, of Pittsburgh Transportation. "I mean, I have no idea what they're going to use that many buses for, but they booked them and we're holding them."

The CEOs of these Pittsburgh security and transportation companies admit they might be overplanning for the G-20 summit, and they aren't sure what to expect, but they are prepared for an event that will be logistically bigger than the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

The G-20 is scheduled for Sept. 24-25 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center downtown.


What Is The G-20?

G-20 -- the Group of 20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors -- was established in 1999 "to bring together systemically important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy," according to its Web site, G20.org.

Countries from all over the world -- including the U.S., Canada, China, France, Germany, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Russia -- are involved in the G-20 summit.

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The gathering typically attracts a variety of protestors from around the world. In April, London saw mostly peaceful protests about economic policy, the banking system and bankers' bonuses, climate change concerns and the war on terror.
Photo Slideshow: World Leaders, Protests At G-20 Summit

During the last G-20, a peaceful protest dubbed "Financial Fools' Day" was held April 1 by the Pittsburgh Organizing Group, a local anarchist group. Members and supporters gathered in Market Square before marching around downtown, stopping at several banks and government offices.

More Info: What IS G-20?

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