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Peace of Mind, On a Budget

It’s budget season within the property management world, and planning for the new year can be quite the undertaking. Prioritizing what amenities to provide to your tenants, maintenance concerns, rent hikes, third party vendors, you name it, it’s on a property manager’s to-do list. One service to be considered revolves around a basic human need to feel safe and secure. Property security. Often overlooked and under-valued, it can affect your business’s bottom line, and have an impact on your occupancy rate. Tenants place value on their personal safety, and taking steps to increase it could be the determining factor between that tenant choosing your property over the one across town.

We Live in a Nice Area of Town, We Don’t need Security

This is a common misconception. Criminals seek out “nice” communities because they assume the residents have more valuable items than those in poorer communities that are riddled with higher crime rates. Violent crime and property crime are statistically very different. Multi-family communities have higher property crime rates than the average, which is why logically, these properties must be treated differently than single family dwellings. Having a large concentration of population in a small area creates a cesspool for potential criminal activity. Without outsourcing a private security company, like Signal Security, you task yourself or another employee with monitoring guests, parking violations, noise complaints, assaults, and vehicle thefts, just to name a few.

Many of these possible threats to your tenants are easily avoidable, but some are more complex. No two properties are the same, and the threats can differ dramatically from one to another. Having flexibility is important. Threats can change seasonally, or as the influx of new tenants increases. Be sure to keep all of this in mind when determining your security needs.

But Security is Too Expensive

It can be, but it certainly doesn’t need to be. In some cases, an effective visual deterrent might be enough to stifle the threat of crime. If an intruder is casing a property and sees a well-trained, well-positioned officer on the premises, they might simply move on from the property and determine it isn’t worth the risk. One courtesy patrol per night could cost as little as a couple hundred dollars and provide a surprisingly effective deterrent to crime.

Of course, as a property manager it’s part of your job to conduct a cost/benefit analysis. Some communities will require a full suite of service. If your property requires an after-hours pool lockup, door check, alarm response, mobile patrol, and parking enforcement, the cost could run in the thousands per month. However, if having security is the determining factor in having even one tenant lease from you over a competitor, the service has paid for itself. Not to mention the potential costs associated with insurance if a vehicle theft, or burglary were to occur on site.

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Peace of mind is something your tenants value and providing it to them can be a rewarding investment.

What’s Next?

It’s important to keep a few things in mind when procuring a private security company, so do your homework. Experience matters, and a reputable service provider will walk through the property with you to better assess your needs. If the estimator never steps out of their vehicle during the assessment, run away…fast. Also, if a company offers a “standard” package, or flat pricing, it’s important for you to question them. Additional services you require, like pool checks and alarm response might not be offered, or are not worked into the “standard” price. Signal will conduct a free on-site security assessment to determine the best service package for you. We keep your budget in mind and will tailor a customized solution that is unique to your business.  Click below to find out more about the benefits of outsourcing your security needs. 

Click here for pricing and to schedule an estimate. Signal is dedicated to helping you provide peace of mind to your tenants.

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For Barb Alekna and Greg Pencosky, building Signal of West Virginia has always been about more than growing a security business. It’s about creating an organization where people can build meaningful careers, develop into leaders, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Since launching Signal of West Virginia in September 2024, that vision has guided the team’s approach to growth. From earning their first client to developing their first leaders, Barb and Greg have focused on building the business one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.

That commitment to people, consistency, and continuous improvement is helping Signal of West Virginia establish a reputation for professionalism and dependable service across the state.

Building a Culture People Can Grow In

When Barb and Greg reflect on what makes them most proud, their answer comes back to their team. From the beginning, they wanted to create more than a successful security company. They wanted to build a career culture where employees could grow, take pride in their work, and become leaders.

“We strive to create an environment where each security officer and team member understands they’re not simply filling a security post,” they explain. “They’re protecting people, building relationships, solving problems, and representing the Signal brand with professionalism and integrity.”

That philosophy shapes how the team approaches every client and every assignment. Whether supporting apartment communities, healthcare facilities, major retailers, or special events, officers are expected to bring more than security expertise to the job.

Professionalism, reliability, communication, and dedication are all part of the standard.

For Barb and Greg, some of the most rewarding moments come from watching that culture take shape: seeing a new hire gain confidence, an officer advance into a leadership role, or a client recognize a team member for going above and beyond.

Earning Growth One Relationship at a Time

Launching a new franchise comes with challenges, but building Signal of West Virginia meant starting almost entirely from scratch.

Before the first contract, the organization had no established presence in the state, no existing clients, no employees, and no revenue. Barb and Greg had experience leading successful Signal operations, but they understood that success in another market wouldn’t automatically translate to West Virginia.

Instead, they relied on proven Signal processes while taking the time to understand the local market and build credibility from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve built since then has been earned one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.”

That approach required humility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Not every proposal became a contract, and not every challenge had an immediate solution, but each experience became an opportunity to improve.

From securing their first client and hiring their first employee to celebrating their first promotion and major contract, each milestone represented another step toward building a reputation in West Virginia.

Continuous Improvement Drives the Team

For the Signal of West Virginia team, showing up at their best starts with a mindset of continuous improvement.

“We never want to become complacent or assume we know everything,” they explain. “Every conversation with a client, every interaction with an employee, every success, failure, and every challenge give us an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better than we were yesterday.”

That mindset extends beyond individual performance. Barb and Greg see clear communication as one of their most important responsibilities as leaders.

By staying connected with clients, supporting their team, and being proactive instead of reactive, they work to build trust and strengthen relationships.

For them, long-term growth isn’t something to chase. It’s something to earn through consistent effort, strong relationships, and exceptional service.

Redefining Professional Security

As Signal of West Virginia continues to grow, Barb and Greg want the community to see private security as more than simply placing officers at a post.

Their goal is to build long-term partnerships, invest in the communities they serve, and create a career culture where employees are empowered to make a positive difference.

“We’re here for the long-term, and we genuinely care about making West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

That commitment is supported by the combination of Signal’s global resources and local, owner-led leadership.

The team benefits from Signal’s technology, innovation, experienced leadership, and proven operating model while maintaining a local presence built around responsiveness, accountability, and lasting relationships.

For Signal of West Virginia, that means officers aren’t simply providing security. They’re becoming an extension of their clients’ teams—protecting people, safeguarding property, assisting employees and visitors, and representing both the client and Signal with professionalism.

The goal is to become a trusted partner that helps reduce risk, strengthen operations, and provide lasting peace of mind.

Developing People and Leaders

For Barb and Greg, one of the most rewarding parts of ownership is watching people grow.

Whether it’s mentoring an officer into a leadership role, helping an employee build a long-term career, or developing a client relationship into a trusted partnership, those moments represent the impact they hope to create.

They also recognize that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

The Signal network has provided opportunities to learn from experienced security leaders, including Paul Alekna and the team at Signal of Canton-Youngstown. Their mentorship and willingness to share experiences have played an important role in the growth of Signal of West Virginia.

That collaboration reflects another strength of the Signal network: franchises supporting one another and sharing knowledge to help each other succeed.

Building What Comes Next

For Barb and Greg, the most exciting part of the journey is knowing they’re still building.

“Every new team member we develop, every client relationship we earn, and every opportunity to strengthen our team is another chance to make a lasting impact.”

Their focus remains straightforward: invest in their people, serve clients with excellence, and build an organization that employees, clients, and the community can be proud of.

Being named Franchise of the Month for May 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition is viewed as motivation rather than a finish line.

Barb and Greg credit their entire team for the franchise’s success and remain focused on creating a career culture where great people can grow, delivering exceptional service, and making a lasting impact throughout West Virginia.

Congratulations to Barb Alekna, Greg Pencosky, and the entire Signal of West Virginia team on being named May Franchise of the Month in 2026. Their commitment to developing people, serving their communities, and growing with purpose is a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

 

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