Watch Guard 24/7 opens third office in Queens

A security firm in Queens is thriving and expanding, opening its third office in the borough.
Retired NYPD lieutenant John Rafferty formed the security business in 2009. The new location is at the corner of 34th Street and 37th Avenue.
“We’re trying to be the best security provider out there,” said Rafferty, whose business offers concierge services and security guards for commercial, retail and residential properties throughout New York and New Jersey. “From the very first job I got, I always tried to make sure I did the right thing for the clients, and I never stopped taking that approach.”
Rafferty credits a top-to-bottom team effort for the firm’s success and growth over the past 18 months. After looking for an additional office space in both Manhattan and Queens, he decided to stay in the borough where the company originally started.
“We wanted to re-invest in Queens, a lot of our team and employees are from Queens,” said Rafferty. “We just decided this was a great place. We put a lot of money into renovating the entire building.”
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony last week, the company was praised by longtime clients, NYPD undercover officers, elected officials and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
“They are an amazing company,” said one client, who runs a nationwide real estate investment trust company. “I remember when John started out with just a couple associates, so to see him like this is huge.”
The company’s color scheme of red and black is highly visible from the exterior of the two-story building. Inside, the company’s values – “Trust, Service, Integrity, Excellence, Commitment, Communication and Accountability” – are predominantly showcased.
A longtime client of Watch Guard 24/7 spoke highly of the security firm’s service, saying Rafferty and his family have gone above and beyond with providing fire watch safety personnel and security for their business.
Councilman Robert Holden presented the business with a proclamation, calling the company a New York City and Queens success story.
“This is one of the greatest pleasures I have on the City Council, honoring a small business that is getting larger,” said Holden. “Hopefully, you’ll take over the whole block eventually.”
Holden said there has been an uptick of crime in District 30, inferring that a city and nationwide anti-police stance ironically calls for bolstering security across New York City.
“It’s unfortunate, but that’s where we are as New York City in the 21st century,” he said.