Sentinel Security still standing watch after 50 years
Chris Petronka grew up in North Franklin Township, along Franklin Farms Road. He and his family led a quiet, secure existence there – one that became more secure with time.
When he was 8, his father, John, started a security company inside their home with the intent of ensuring safety at locations in and around Washington. Sites included schools, businesses, athletic events … any place where assuring public welfare was paramount.
A half-century later, Sentinel Security is still watching out, still vigilantly protecting those who are out and about, still feeling at home inside the old family home.
“We have been in this small office for 50 years,” Chris Petronka said with a laugh. He succeeded his father as owner and is pleased with the firm’s stature. “We are grateful for the community support we have gotten. Local businesses have trusted us for so long.”
He said that Monday from his childhood residence, which Petronka now rents as the company’s headquarters. A tastefully modest sign outside the front door identifies the work that is orchestrated within.
Chris, 58, oversees the business his late father ran for 21 years, while John also was working for the state Liquor Control Board and as a part-time police officer with North Franklin.
John left the force to start Sentinel Security, where he was ably assisted by his wife, Geri, who “basically did the books,” said Chris, who now lives in South Strabane with his wife, Wendy. They have two children, son Evan, 23, and daughter Bela, 26.
Chris has run the firm for the past 29 years. “We provide service, not product,” he said. “Our product is our employees,” which numbers about 16. “We do a lot more security guard work than dad did. Dad wanted to do only PI (private investigative) work.”
Sentinel Security’s services are many: interviewee/witness location; civil investigation and litigation support; criminal investigation and support; due diligence; process service; general investigation; accident investigation; surveillance; and workers compensation investigation.
John Petronka launched this enduring endeavor on March 24, 1976, a business that will turn 50 years old on Tuesday. Chris works there with his assistant, Evan, who is the father’s likely successor as owner. Evan began working with the firm after high school.
“He will be named vice president soon, in case something happens to me,” Chris said. “He should get his PI license a year from now to prepare him to own the company.”
If all of that transpires, Evan would be in position to lead Sentinel Security toward a century of family ownership.
Chris said Sentinel “is not a large operation. We have grown, but we stay small by choice. Most of the bigger security companies in the region are in the Pittsburgh area.
“We’ve found our niche here. Washington County is our base, where we do about 90% of our business.” The firm also has clients in western Westmoreland County.
His company does have a formidable array of loyal regional clients. Petronka said Sentinel will provide security for the PONY League World Series for the 30th consecutive year in August, and has worked with the Washington Wild Things for the past 18 years; Trinity Area School District, the past 19; Canon-McMillan, the past 26; and Shop ‘n’ Save supermarket, the past 14.
Sentinel also has been providing security for the Jacktown Fair.
A seemingly minor local event that Sentinel served, and Petronka attended, remains etched happily in his mind. The Wild Things were hosting a teenage singer who was establishing a following and helped draw a crowd. Her name was Taylor Swift.
“She was a teenager and people were making a big deal about her,” Petronka said. “I talked to her mom, who said Taylor was going to Nashville for a record deal. I thought to myself, ‘good luck.'”
“Was I wrong. I’m definitely not a talent scout.”
He acknowledged that his industry has experienced change. “That’s happened with investigations, obviously, because of technology. You have the internet, search engines and such. Before, you had to track more people down, you’d go to the courthouse to look up things. Now you can go into an office with data bases, which have sped up processes.”
He talked about security cameras, which have become prominent in the industry. He did, however, cite an example of where they can be a detriment.
“One place had so many security cameras, it decided it didn’t need guards. Cameras have helped clients in certain ways, but a camera doesn’t replace a body or a guard. It doesn’t stop someone from doing something.”
He does not anticipate major changes at Sentinel Security in the near future, but there is a longevity-related milestone ahead.
“We’re close to 50 years and the nation will be celebrating 250,” Chris Petronka said. “We can say we’ve been here for one-fifth of that time.”