What's Going On with American Surveillance's Escobedo Brothers?

American Surveillance Office on Galonsky Avenue

At Tuesday's Airport Advisory Board meeting Aviation Director Larry Brown mentioned in his Director's Report that due to the city's non-renewal of a security contract with American Surveillance, the airport would be saving $100,000 annually.   While the airport was not under contract to the security company, they were responsible for a pro-rata share of the total contract.  Brown mentioned that from henceforth security would be provided by city employees.

This has not been a good year for the Escobedo brothers, Jaime and Enrique, owners of American Surveillance, a company once seemingly enjoying a near monopoly on surveillance contracts and equipment in Cameron County with large contracts with the City of Brownsville, BISD, the Sports Park and the Brownsville Police Department.  The Escobedos did not limit themselves to bidding on surveillance and camera equipment but created other companies using the name "American" to bid on demolition and other projects with COB. They even tried to sell a huge generator to the Port of Brownsville despite the port having no need of a generator.  The Escobedos tried to convince port officials that the price of generators would be going up 25% in then next 12 months making the purchase of a backup a prudent move.

On the heels of the City of Brownsville deciding they no longer needed the security services of American Surveillance, Texas Southmost College came to the same conclusion, deciding not to renew the company's contract.  A TSC official inboxed me with their decision:

"Did you see that we shot down the Escobedos on the security contract at TSC?  It was pretty awesome. . . . . . . . . . . The gravy train is slowing to a stop for these guys.  Next stop:  a date with the Feds!"

Indeed,  the Escobedo brothers have seemingly been in a freefall lately.  Just two years ago, during the waning days of the mayoral race, incumbent Pat Ahumada toured the Southmost area and cruised International Blvd. in a Mustang convertible with Cepillin the Clown.  The lead car was an American Surveillance patrol vehicle looking so similar to a police vehicle that citizens respectfully pulled to the side as if honoring a funeral procession.  In reference to Ahumada's political future,  that may have been an almost prophetic gesture that now may be equally applicable to the stranglehold American Surveillance has enjoyed on Brownsville security contracts.