North Bay Security Group
Our mission at North Bay Security Group is to provide safety consultation and services to public and private businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Created NBSG in 2010, to assist Novato Unified School District with student issues, as the local Police Agency was getting rid of the School resource Officer Program. expanded to conducting home visits around truancy, attendance issues. Helped update district wide safety plan, conducted site evaluations, assisted in ICS training, developed lock-down procedures, and training in active shooter situations. Two employees Became CPR/AED/First Aid instructors to train staff in that area in 2015.
Our Staff
Bill Welch - Owner of North Bay Security Group
Bill grew up in Marin County, where he earned a two-year degree from College of Marin, and is currently completing his B.S. through University of Phoenix. Bill has 25 years of Law Enforcement experience: 10 years with Sausalito PD the last 15 years with Novato PD. Following Bill’s retirement he founded North Bay Security Group in 2010, and has since been working with numerous school districts, public and private companies. Bill continues to teach Active shooter/intruder training and disaster preparedness, as well as being certified as a CPR and First Aid instructor. Bill conducts site evaluations, EOC and ICS training; participates and helps with drills (earthquake, fire, lock-downs, shelter in place). Bill also works with schools on truancy and attendance issues, and home verifications.
Ally Hight - Education Specialist and AOD Counselor
Ally was born and raised in Sonoma County. She completed her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice Studies at San Francisco State University in 2011 and soon began working with teens in the criminal justice system and schools in the Marin community. She has worked in the restorative justice field for 4 years through group homes and for the YMCA Youth Court. Prior to receiving her Bachelor's Degree Ally studied child development and psychology and spent several years working with preschool aged children. Ally delivers presentations around drug and alcohol use, vaping, social media usage, peer pressure and bullying. Ally also offers support with restorative justice practices to 4 th – 9 th graders.
Matt Thomas - Safety Consultant
Matt moved to California in 1989 and began his law enforcement career with the City of Mill Valley, starting as a Public Safety Dispatcher. Matt became a Police Officer in May of 1990 and served the citizens of Mill Valley as a patrol officer and detective, before moving to the Petaluma Police. Matt retired from the Petaluma Police Department after 24 plus years of service. During his near 25-year law enforcement career Matt has served in the following assignments: patrol officer, crime scene investigator, arson investigator, hostage negotiator, traffic officer, chaplain liaison, and Every 15 Minutes coordinator. Matt has served on the board of the California association of Hostage Negotiators since 2004, with the last 7 years as the state board president. Matt is also an elected School Board Trustee for the Waugh School District, a position he has held for the past 8 years, as well as member of the board for Speedway Children's Charity at Sonoma Raceway, for the past 3 years. Matt works directly with schools offering support with home visits for attendance and truancy, behavioral issues with students, as well as determining the need for law enforcement to respond to a school or if the situation can be dealt with by school staff and North Bay Security Group. Matt also assist with drills (lock-downs, fire, disaster). He also mentors students on positive interaction during recess and lunch time.
Jim Shirk - Safety Consultant
Jim is a 30-year veteran Police Officer, who recently retired at the rank of Captain from the Central Marin Police Authority. Prior to that, Jim served 8 years in the US Army Military Police. Jim moved to California in 1985 and began his police career with the Twin Cities Police in 1987. During his 30 year law enforcement career, Jim has served in the following assignments: patrol officer, field training officer, crime scene investigator, SWAT , crisis intervention team, narcotics investigator, detective, patrol sergeant, police operations commander, police support services commander, and regional SWAT team commander. Jim currently supports schools with home visits for attendance and truancy, behavioral issues and determines the need for law enforcement to respond to a school or if the situation can be dealt with by school staff and North Bay Security Group. Jim also assists schools with drills (lockdowns, fire, disaster). He also mentors students in positive interaction during recess and lunch time.
Kevin Briggs - Safety Consultant
Kevin Briggs career spans 29 years of government service. This includes 3 years in the United States Army, 3 years as a California Department of Corrections officer and 23 years as a California Highway Patrol officer, where he retired from the Marin Area at the rank of motor sergeant in November, 2013. Briggs is an FBI trained crisis negotiator and has encountered hundreds of people contemplating suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. Briggs now teaches suicide prevention, crisis negotiations and active listening skills to law enforcement, mental health professionals and educators. Kevin supports schools with home visits for attendance and truancy, behavioral issues and determines the need for law enforcement to respond to a school or if the situation can be dealt with by school staff and North Bay Security Group. Jim also assists schools with drills (lockdowns, fire, disaster). He also mentors students in positive interaction during recess and lunch time.