Security Guard Services in Augusta, ME

See the Maine page for coverage across Maine.

Retail Districts Covered in Augusta

Security coverage is available across Augusta’s main commercial areas, including:

• Downtown Augusta and Water Street
• The State House and Capitol area
• Marketplace at Augusta on Civic Center Drive
• Augusta Crossing
• Western Avenue
• Capitol Heights

Security Considerations in Augusta

The Maine Legislature’s first regular session convenes on the first Wednesday in December after the general election and has a statutory adjournment date of the third Wednesday in June. The second regular session convenes in January of the even-numbered year and has a statutory adjournment date of the third Wednesday in April. City officials note that Augusta’s daytime workforce nearly doubles its population of about 19,000, so offices and businesses near the State House see heavy weekday traffic.

Retail is concentrated near Interstate 95, where officials describe vacancy rates at the Marketplace at Augusta and Augusta Crossing as near zero, and along Western Avenue, which carries more than 21,000 vehicles a day. The Capitol Heights project is redeveloping an 8-acre former department store plaza on Western Avenue with apartments above retail, a hotel and two commercial buildings. Projects of this kind need construction coverage first and then lobby, parking and retail coverage once they open.

Water Street is downtown’s central business district, with one of the city’s largest collections of 19th-century commercial buildings, and part of the street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. Older storefronts often have narrow entrances, upper floors and limited sightlines. Maine winters bring snow and early darkness, so officers need clear procedures for icy entrances, parking lots and late closings.

Security Services in Augusta

Screening, Training and Supervision

Officers complete a five-stage screening process and tier-based training before assignment, including de-escalation and, for retail posts, organized retail crime recognition. Supervisors make unannounced site visits, and the McCray Operations Desk answers 24/7/365. Incidents are documented on scene, and clients receive reports in the same format at every location.

Maine Licensing

Maine licenses contract security companies through the Commissioner of Public Safety under the Private Security Guards Act, administered by the Maine State Police, and individual guards are not separately licensed. Each licensed company must report its guards before they begin work and confirm that they meet the statutory qualifications, including a minimum age of 18 and limits on criminal convictions, with guard background checks completed within 60 days of the start date. Company licenses run one year and are renewed annually.

Common Questions

Can Coverage Be Added for New Developments on Western Avenue?

Yes. Construction sites can receive gate, perimeter and after-hours coverage during the build, and the same Post Orders can then be revised for lobby, parking and retail posts once tenants open. See construction site security.

Are Armed Officers Available in Augusta?

Under Maine law, the security company must complete and submit a background check statement for each guard before that guard may carry or use a firearm on duty. Armed coverage is assigned after a review of each site’s risk, lease and insurance requirements. For most retail posts, McCray generally recommends unarmed officers focused on deterrence and customer service.

How Is Security Guard Coverage Priced?

Rates depend on the officer classification, hours, schedule and site requirements. McCray provides a written rate schedule after reviewing the needs of each site. Holiday, overnight and short-notice coverage is billed at a premium rate.