News and Events
October 10-12, 2012: PI Magazine East Coast Super ConferenceJoin ALDONYS as a Co-Host...
PI Magazine presents the 2012 East Coast Super Conference, hosted by NJLPIA (New Jersey Licednsed Private Investigators Association) at the Tropicano Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ on October 10-12, 2012. nIt is expected that this event will atract 500+ private investigators from around the country! When registering, please use the PROMO code "ALDONYS".
Click here for more information.
February 16, 2012 Joint Meeting with the Society of Professional Investigators
A joint meeting of ALDONYS and the Society of Professional Investigators will be held in New York City on February 16, 2011 at 6:00pm. This has become a yearly event that members of both organizations look forward to. Dinner at Forlini's includes an appetizer, full sit down dinner, dessert and coffee. Parking is adjacent to the restaurant.
Location: Forlini's Restaurant
Address: 93 Baxter Street, New York City
Board Meeting: 4:00pm
Meeting: 6:00pm
This meeting will feature John Otero from BlackStorm Cyber Security and Forensics. John Otero has more than 20 years progressive experience in law enforcement, including 10+ years at the managerial level specializing in high technology crimes and data security. As head of the New York City Police Department’s Computer Crimes Squad, Lieutenant Commander of Detective Squad John Otero led and managed Sergeants, Detectives, Police Officers, and Civilians in the three modules that comprise the unit (Online Crimes Module, Computer Forensic Investigations Module, and the Investigations Module). He worked closely with all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to solve computer related crimes, and set up an information-sharing network.
During his tenure, his team uncovered and assisted in a wide range of computer criminal activity, including theft of intellectual property, corporate espionage, network intrusions, Identity Theft, child pornography, Arsons, Homicides, and missing persons. He has testified on behalf of the State at numerous court hearings and trials that resulted in the prosecution winning the majority of cases. John Otero has earned his Master’s Degree and possessed top-secret clearance from the F.B.I.
He has served as a keynote speaker at numerous universities, banks, Fortune 500 companies, and technology conferences; and as a subject matter expert in network media interviews. He has trained thousands of users, including other police departments and corporations on computer security and hightech crime prevention and due diligence. He co-authored a Computer Crime Investigation Handbook for the N.Y.P.D. and contributed to the Investigative Uses of High Technology, a cyber investigations book for law enforcement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In addition, he was selected by the National White Collar Crime Center to assist them in developing their Basic Online Technical Skills (BOTS) course. John has developed cyber crimes investigation programs for several colleges and is an Assistant Professor and lead Instructor for the St Johns University Computer Security Systems Bachelors Degree Program where he teaches Information Security, Cyber Threats and Detection, Network Security, and Fundamentals of Cyber Crimes.
Some of his other experiences includes being head of the Computer Forensics Investigation Module, where he was responsible for establishing policies and procedures for investigating high technology crimes as well as case management and quality control of all cases handled by the unit. He was also in charge of the NYPD’s Medical Examiner’s Liaison Unit where he supervised Detectives assigned to each of the city’s morgues. John was also an undercover and investigative Detective with the Organized Crime Control Bureau.
The fee to attend is $50. Payment is accepted at the door via cash or check made payable to SPI.
Please register to attend: info@aldonys.org
December 8, 2011 Holiday Party
The ALDONYS Holiday Party is scheduled for December 8, 2011 at 6:00pm in New York City.
Location: Legend's Sports Bar
Address: 6 West 33rd Street, New York City (Between 5th Avenue and Broadway)
Come enjoy a fantastic Holiday display of decorations and atmosphere. Please bring an unwrapped toy to help sponsor Toys for Tots.
Please register to attend: info@aldonys.org
Now accepting credit card payments online (processing fees apply and payments are non refundable):
November 17, 2011 General Membership Meeting
The next General Membership Meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2011 at 6:00pm in New York City.
Location: Arte's Restaurant
Address: 21 East 9th Street, New York City (Between 5th Avenue and University Place)
Board Meeting: 4:00pm
Meet and Greet: 5:30pm
Meeting: 6:00pm
This meeting will feature Lieutenant Jack Cambria, Commanding Officer of the NYPD’s Elite Hostage Negotiation Team. In the world of hostage negotiations, Cambria is something of a legend. Dubbed “the officer with the gift of gab,” Cambria has talked would-be suicides down from tall buildings and bridges. Most of Cambria’s time, however, involves convincing a hostage-taker to release his hostages. He is also often called upon as a technical consultant in the entertainment industry including consulting on the major motion picture, ‘The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,’ and the television series, ‘Life on Mars.’ Lt. Cambria has authored several scholarly articles on negotiations and has achieved his Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. A 29-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, Lieutenant Jack Cambria has served for the last 16 years in the Emergency Service Unit, providing Rescue, SWAT, and Counter-Terrorism services to the City of New York.
NYPD’s Hostage Negotiation Team founded in March, 1973, was the first hostage negotiating team in the world. After deaths in three high profile incidents—1971’s Attica Prison riot, the 1972 “Dog Day Afternoon” Brooklyn bank robbery, and the takeover by the Palestinian Black September terrorists at the 1972 Munich Olympics—the NYPD set out to create a specialized well-trained unit. Cambria and his team have trained law and order professionals all over the world—from the Middle East to West Point, and at prestigious institutions, including Harvard and Yale. Cambria spent seven days putting the guards at Guantanamo through an intensive course.
Please register to attend: info@aldonys.orgNow accepting credit card payments online (processing fees apply and payments are non refundable):
September 8, 2011 General Membership Meeting
The next General Membership Meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2011 at 6:00pm in Westchester County.
Location: West Point, 49ers Lodge
Address: Building 696 Delafield Road, West Point, NY 10996 (Click here for directions)
Board Meeting: 4:00pm
Meet and Greet with Cocktails: 5:30pm
Meeting: 6:00pm
This meeting will feature Felix Nater as a guest speaker. Felix is a retired Postal Inspector who has held varying criminal and security operational and program management positions at the local, regional and national level. He is also a retired Sergeant Major whose last assignment was as the Command Sergeant Major of a major Army Reserve Command. Felix has held leadership positions and membership in several related organizations, and his consulting experiences run the gamut .
Please register to attend: info@aldonys.org
Now accepting credit card payments online (processing fees apply and payments are non refundable):
ALDONYS Installs 2011-2012 Officers
Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State (ALDONYS) Installs 2011-2012 Officers
Theresa Balfe Elected as Organization’s New President
ALBANY, N.Y. – The Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State (ALDONYS) inducted Theresa Balfe, owner of Theresa Balfe Investigations, as its first female president in 41 years on February 3, 2011. For 50 years, the organization has worked on behalf of licensed private investigators, agency licensees and security guard firms as an advocate for the security industry.
Along with Balfe, other officers installed for the 2011-2012 year were Mario J. Doyle, CPP, Vice President of Security; Nicholas G. Himonidis, JD, CFE, CCFS, Vice President of Investigations; Lisa Dolan, CPP, Secretary; and Kevin Mulligan, Treasurer.
Representing members from across the state, new ALDONYS Regional Directors also took office and include: Doug Amann of Rochester, N.Y.; Pauline Chahales of Westchester/Lower Hudson Valley; Ernest J. Lungaro, who will be the Regional Director at Large for Southern N.Y.; Scott Schuster, Regional Director at Large for Northern, N.Y.; Jeffrey Rinaldo of Buffalo/Western N.Y.; and Thomas Ruskin of New York City.
For over 60 years, the organization has represented licensed private investigation and security guard firms, as well as an estimated 141,000 registered security guards in the state. Balfe’s goals for her two-year term include promoting membership throughout New York State, engaging Regional Directors in holding local events, continuing to provide members with timely legislative updates, and holding joint meetings with other associations.
“We will continue to work with lawmakers and enforcement to ensure that our organization continues to effectively represent an industry that protects our citizens on a regular basis,” added Balfe, who served a four-year term as Vice President of Investigations for ALDONYS.
Balfe began working as a private investigator after graduating from college in 1991 and founded Theresa Balfe Investigations in1996. ALDONYS presented her with the prestigious Investigator of the Year award at its annual dinner and dance on November 6, 2010.
A notary public, Balfe is an active member of the New York State Welfare Fraud Investigator's Association (NYWFIA), The National Council of Investigation & Security Services (NCISS), and the ION Investigative Network. She also serves on the Albany Civilian Police Review Board.
Click here to download the press release.
Theresa Balfe Congratulates Mario Doyle as Recipient of 2011 ASIS Member of the Year Award
On behalf of ALDONYS, I would like to congratulate our Vice President of Security, MARIO DOYLE who is the 2011 recipient of the ASIS Member of the Year Award. His dedication to the Security and Law enforcement communities is commendable and does not go unnoticed. Mario is a true asset to ALDONYS, as well as many other organizations and I consider myself fortunate to call him my associate and friend.
Thank you for all you do for our association, Mario.
Sincerely,
Theresa Balfe
Keep up with the latest industry issues with the January edition of ALDONYS Spotlight
The January 2010 ALDONYS Spotlight is now available online. Log in to the member section, navigate to the ALDONYS Spotlight section and click on the link to download a copy and keep up to date on issues facing the security industry. The January newsletter contains information on the 2010 Person of the Year Awards Dinner, recent legislative news, and skip-tracing.
How Can ALDONYS Help You?
Help us help you! ALDONYS wants to better meet your needs. We have designed a survey to collect information about how you first learned about ALDONYS, why you joined, what you hope to get out of it, and ways we can improve the association. Click here to take the survey!
ALDONYS Regional Meeting Attracts TV News Coverage
NBC news affiliate WKTV in Utica was on hand to cover the May 6 ALDONYS regional meeting in Vernon Downs that focused on cold case files, including the 1985 murder of Kimberly Simon. Click here to read the story and watch the newscast.
Stay Connected with the ALDONYS Member Forum
Your ALDONYS member includes access to our ALDONYS Member Forum. This is a great resource for sharing information, finding/posting employment opportunities and communicating with others in the industry. To access the member forum, log on to the member's section and click the "read the forums" link in
the Membership Forum section.
Check Out the Latest Issue of Spotlight
Here is a run down of what you will find in the recent issue of Spotlight, located in the Members Only section:
- A message from Robert Tucker, ALDONYS president;
- The latest news on the NSA Surveillance Controversy;
- Current issues being addressed by the Security Guard Committee;
- Recent legislative news affecting the Security Guard industry;
- Photos from the ALDONYS annual holiday party;
- Best practices for recruiting and engaging members during challenging times; and
- Details on Roth IRA conversions.
Security Guard Training Program Non-Refundable Fees Now in Effect
On December 1, 2009, non-refundable fees became effective for the approval and renewal of security guard training schools and certification and renewal of certification of security guard instructors. Payment for the fees must be submitted wtih all initial and renewal Security Guard School and Instructor Applications. This pdf file provides more specific details and the fee schedule (http://www.aldonys.org/files/SecurityGuardSchoolFeesMemo.pdf).
Are you prepared for a flu pandemic?
Find important information about how you can prepare your business for an influenza pandemic. A key brochure and checklist is available in the Members Only Resources section.
The Mechanic Group Introduces New Program
The Mechanic Group announces a new Security Guard, PI and Alarm/Electronic Security Umbrella Program. Highlights of this program, offered with Crum & Forster, include: admitted program, higher carrier rating (AM Best Rating: A; XII), limits of up to $10 million (with higher limits available, if needed), and competitive pricing. To learn more, visit the Mechanic Group at http://www.mechanicgroup.com/?gclid=COmbpNuPxJwCFSG1sgodzlyWCA.
Senator Skelos Took the Floor at August 11 General Membership Meeting
Forest Hills, N.Y., August 17 — Senator Dean Skelos, a long-time supporter of the Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State (ALDONYS), took the floor at the organization's general membership meeting. The meeting took place on August 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Westbury Manor in Westbury, N.Y.
New Employer's Report of Work Related Injury or Illness Guidelines Effective Immediately
Effective January 1, 2009, a new Employer’s Report of Work Related Injury or Illness (Form C2) must be filed with the New York Workers' Compensation Board within 10 days notice of injury. Failure to submit the correct, or any, form as prescribed can lead to hefty fines.
A new form, Form C-2 (9-08 or 10-08 version), must now be used when submitting workers' compensation claims. Those employers who do not use the new form or neglect to submit a form at all within 10 days after the accident will be penalized with a fine imposed by the Workers' Compensation Board.
In other words, if an employer refuses or neglects to complete Form C-2 (9-08 or 10-08 version) and/or to file the form with the Board within 10 days after the accident, it will be fined by the Board. See the Workers' Compensation Board for forms and more details: www.wcb.state.ny.us.
Interested in becoming a licensed investigator?
Click here to visit the New York Department of State Division of Licensing Services http://www.dos.state.ny.us/LCNS/licensing.html.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown Swears in New ALDONYS Officers for 2009-10
NEW YORK – Robert S. Tucker, Chairman and CEO of T&M Protection Resources, was sworn in as president of the Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State (ALDONYS) on February 26, 2009. Queens County District Attorney Richard A. Brown conducted the swearing-in ceremony for Tucker and other incoming officials at Marchi’s restaurant in Manhattan.
Also installed as officers for 2009-2010 were Theresa Balfe of Balfe Investigations, vice president of Investigations; Mario Doyle of BuildingStar, vice president of security; Nick Himonidis of NGH Associates, secretary; and Lisa Dolan of Securit, treasurer. Newly installed regional directors were Kevin Mulligan of Mulligan Security, Bob Auletta of Summit Security, and Anthony Strollo of Independent Investigations.
“The objective of ALDONYS is to increase the public perception and understanding of the vital role our industry plays in safeguarding the people, businesses and critical infrastructure of New York,” said Tucker, who previously served as vice president of security for ALDONYS.
ALDONYS represents licensed security guard and private investigation firms and an estimated 141,000 guards registered in the state. As former chairman of its Security Guard Committee, Tucker expanded the scope and resources of the organization to support lobbying efforts on behalf of the security industry. “Among my goals during the next two years is to engage and partner with law makers and law enforcement to ensure that our organization continues to effectively represent an industry that protects our citizens,” Tucker said.
Tucker formerly served as Assistant District Attorney and Special Assistant to Richard Brown until 1999, when he purchased what is now T&M Protection Resources. Brown was appointed in 1991 by then Governor Mario Cuomo to serve as Queens County District Attorney, a position in which he has remained since winning successive re-election bids.
About ALDONYS: Founded in 1950, ALDONYS is the largest New York State not-for-profit membership organization solely representing the interests of individuals, partnerships, and corporations who hold private investigator and/or watch, guard and patrol agency licenses issued by the New York Secretary of State, Division of Licensing Services.