Anti-Theft Security That Works: Lessons from 30 Years on the Job
From Medical Sales to Anti- Theft Security: John’s Journey
John Mangiameli, Executive Vice President at Se-Kure, didn’t begin his career in anti-theft security. Right out of college, he was settling auto accident claims for State Farm, later stepping into medical sales at Johnson & Johnson and Medline. He learned professionalism, precision, and the value of training in real-world environments. Skills that would later prove critical in the fight against retail theft.
In the mid-1990s, John responded to a job posting at a small family business called Se-Kure Controls. He took the time to research the company, even surprising his interviewers with insights they hadn’t seen themselves. That proactive approach earned him the job and began a decades-long commitment to improving retail security solutions from the ground up.
How Theft Has Evolved Over the Years
John has witnessed massive changes in theft tactics over the last 30 years. What once may have been simple shoplifting incidents have evolved into complex, organized retail crime operations. With the rise of self-checkouts, online marketplaces, and flash mob-style thefts, retailers face new vulnerabilities almost every day.
“The biggest change,” John says, “is how sophisticated thieves have become. It’s no longer just one person acting alone, it’s groups, networks, using technology, and even distractions to pull off thefts.”
These changes have forced innovation in how anti-theft security tools are developed, deployed, and refined.
When Experience Drives Innovation
Se-Kure doesn’t just make products, they solve real problems. John shared one example of a tool they developed after repeated reports of theft in a major retail chain. “We saw how thieves were defeating traditional tethers,” John explained. “So we redesigned our display security to outsmart that behavior, right down to the materials used and how it alerts staff.”
This kind of real-world response is what sets Se-Kure apart. Their solutions aren’t theoretical. They’re tested, adapted, and built from decades of street-smart insight.
What 30 Years on the Job Teaches You About Retail Theft
For retailers, it’s important to know who’s behind your loss prevention strategy. With John, you’re not getting a salesperson, you’re getting someone who has lived through the evolution of retail crime and knows exactly how to deter it.
His advice for anyone entering the field? “Spend time on the floor. Watch how theft happens. Talk to store managers. You can’t build great anti-theft security from a boardroom.”
Find out more about the Se-Kure Controls team in these additional blog posts.
