Maschmeier and Molczyk launch Home Security

COLUMBUS, Neb.--Two police officers have launched a new residential security company here called, appropriately, Home Security. Gilbert Maschmeier and Doug Molczyk are now ADT dealers, having opened their business in January. "We saw a void in Columbus; we don't have a lot of people offering home security and monitoring," Molczyk said. "We decided it was a good way to continue to serve the community and start our own business." Molczyk said they decided to become ADT dealers because "we liked their reputation and we liked that we can pick out our own ADT systems, tailor the installation to what the customer wants." He said they also liked the training they received from ADT. The men are running the business on a part-time basis. They'll have "electricians to do installations and we help with the installation as well. We also do the home security assessments and program [the alarm systems] once they're installed." Asked if there is any conflict between being a police officer and selling home security systems, Molczyk explained that they only work on the business during off-duty hours and that their assignments are not related to the investigation of burglaries or patrolling residential neighborhoods. Maschmeier works with the DARE program (drug abuse resistance education) and Molczyk works in undercover narcotics. Molczyk said he's had some requests for home security systems that include cameras. Though Home Security isn't doing surveillance systems, currently, Molczyk personally has extensive experience installing cameras from his law enforcement job. Installing more complex systems is something Home Security may consider getting into "in a year or so." So far, Home Security has created all of its business from word of mouth. "We're busy, but not too busy ... enough to keep things going without getting overwhelmed," Molczyk said.