Access Control
& Security Systems

Chicago real estate executive Paul Beitler contends many of the security measures implemented in high-rise office buildings nationwide in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center are ineffective, costly and onerous. The proliferation of equipment such as metal detectors and turnstiles in building lobbies, Beitler adds, is a knee-jerk reaction that disrupts commerce by restricting the mobility of tenants and visitors.

"None of the security measures that's been introduced on the part of building owners would have prevented 9-11," says the outspoken Beitler, president of the The Beitler Co., whose firm specializes in tenant representation and is the asset manager for more than 1.5 million sq. ft. of downtown Chicago office buildings owned by Credit Suisse First Boston. "You don't see these kinds of security measures at department stores, hotels and convention centers, so why office buildings?"

In most instances, tenants aren't even requesting that additional safety measures such as bag screening be implemented, says Beitler. "Everybody just assumes that because the World Trade Center towers were attacked, all office buildings are now the target of terrorism. We haven't had an office building in this country that's been blown up by somebody walking through the revolving doors with a bomb."

This story is excerpted from NATIONAL REAL ESTATE INVESTOR, a sister publication of ACCESS CONTROL & SECURITY SYSTEMS. Read the entire article by following this link: nreionline.com

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