HQ Security Provided Volunteer Patrols in Lavender Heights
The firm stepped in to offer additional security after a series of late-night assaults in the Sacramento neighborhood.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Violence
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HQ Security has volunteered to provide free patrols for the Lavender Heights neighborhood in response to recent late-night attacks. This move aims to bolster safety in an area where local businesses rely on private guards and limited police presence.
Why it matters
The initiative addresses security gaps in Sacramento, where the city currently operates with 100 fewer police officers than it did a decade ago. It provides an immediate supplement to existing measures, such as entertainment permit-mandated guards, following high-profile violent incidents.
HQ Security now deploys four vehicles in the central city at all times, increasing to eight during peak periods. Investigations into past incidents, including the December death of Alvin Prasad, remain ongoing as the department balances weekend police presence.
The players
HQ Security
This is a private security firm that has volunteered to patrol the Lavender Heights neighborhood to address safety concerns.
Mayor McCarty
He is the local official who announced the new security volunteer arrangement for the neighborhood.
Alvin Prasad
He was a victim of an assault on Halloween night in 2025 and subsequently passed away in December.
Joseph Sais
He is an individual who reported being attacked and subjected to slurs in September 2026.
Sacramento Police Department
This local law enforcement agency maintains a weekend presence in the Lavender Heights area.
The details
Businesses in the area, such as Faces Nightclub which hosts up to 1,700 patrons on weekends, rely on required security guards and cameras like those at the MARRS Building. The patrols serve as a stopgap measure after violent reports involving patrons at Badlands and the October 2025 assault on Alvin Prasad.
Timeline
October 31, 2025: Alvin Prasad was beaten on Halloween night.
December 2025: Alvin Prasad died following the Halloween assault.
September 4, 2026: Joseph Sais reported being attacked and subjected to slurs.
September 2026: Two women reported being attacked outside Badlands.
September 21, 2026: Mayor McCarty announced the security volunteer arrangement.
Legal Context
This volunteer effort follows a long-standing pattern of private-public partnerships for public safety that has evolved since the Midtown Business Association was founded 25 years ago. It reflects a reliance on private sector solutions as municipal police staffing levels have declined over the last decade.
Residents and nightlife patrons in the Lavender Heights area may notice an increased security presence and more patrol vehicles on local streets. Business owners and attendees of large venues like Faces Nightclub should continue to coordinate with local police for specific safety reporting.
The takeaway
The deployment of private patrols highlights the changing nature of neighborhood safety in urban centers. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to the police, as private security supplements but does not replace official law enforcement duties.
Further reading
For more information on safety initiatives, visit the Violence section.
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