My name is Avi Ben David. My nickname is “Professor Security”. I got the nickname because I am something of a scholar of security, from a practical viewpoint, and because I like to teach people what they need to know about security issues.

My father owned a security business in Haifa, Israel. I was locksmithing even as a little boy.

By the time I was 13 I had already installed steel doors, gates, security windows, security shutters, locks, safes and more.  I grew up understanding security at its fundamentals.

My father’s philosophy was to assume the mind of a criminal and think as a criminal would think; and then put in place the means of preventing them.

I learned to think that way as well. As a kid I already knew how to get into places if I wanted to and I knew how the bad guys were thinking. I was always  inventing ways to slow them down and to be smarter than them.

“How can I make the bad guy go through hell trying to get into a place, to a point that he will not even want to try?” That’s the attitude to have when securing property.

Israeli “Security Mentality”

Kids in Israel are learning about security even in school. These are elementary school basics for any school kid in Israel:

  • be super-aware of your surroundings and learn people’s behavior.
  • always look for easy escape and emergency exits.
  • never ever leave the field when other people are in trouble.
  • live, think and breathe security and safety,

The Israel that I grew up in was a country of 3.5 million surrounded by 300 million people who, by and large, did not want us to be there. I pray that one day this will no longer be the case. But, without getting into the politics of “who is right and who is wrong”, I think you can easily imagine that security is part of each Israeli citizen’s life.

(I wouldn’t be surprised at all to read one day that a scientist had discovered that an Israeli’s DNA is different, because this issue has been part of our lives for thousands of years!)

So, through working and being with my father, securing places and dealing with government facilities, high profile officials, army bases, residential homes and commercial  buildings, I became knowledgeable to the point that I knew how to defeat many security systems. I got to the point where I could open any lock or door.

My Apprenticeship Under a Master

One day a friend of my father mentioned to him that a master locksmith was retiring and selling all his equipment. My father and I immediately located this gentleman and made the arrangements that changed my life forever.

My Dad looked at me and asked me, if I wanted to learn even more about the trade of locksmithing so as to make this my career. I immediately said “yes!”

My Dad was very fair and direct, he told him, “Mr. Clement, I would like to help you sell all your tools and supplies and I am willing to do so for the price you want — but with one condition — that you teach my son all of your trade secrets and show him the way to start in the field of the locksmith.”

The old man looked at us quietly then pulled me over to talk with me.

(The whole story is a long one and a lot of fun; when I tell the story people will often say that it seemed like something out of “Karate Kid”! If you, the reader, and I actually talk one day, ask me for the story and I will be happy to tell you and we will both laugh again!)

But the happy outcome of that story is that I became his apprentice after that, and rapidly enhanced my knowledge in the security trade.

Further Skills Gained in the Israeli Military

When I got to be 18, I began my 3 years compulsory army enlistment. There are aspects of this that, for security reasons, I will never divulge;  but suffice it to say that I was given positions that further enhanced my knowledge and experience in security measures.

By the time I was 21 I was out of the army with a great passion to make this my career.

Like a lot of kids everywhere in the world, due to Hollywood and movies, I guess, I decided to go to the US and “make my mark”; so I did, arriving here when I was 23.

My Own Business in the U.S.

When I arrived to the U S, I heard different things from many people who were talking about “big money” and my “great potential”. I got offers from high level body guards and security companies to join them but I had one thing in mind: to start my own security business from the ground up; to start from the locks, safes and all the related door hardware first.

My first US job was at a wonderful place in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.  This was a  family locksmith business by the name of “Flam’s Key Service”. Within a few weeks, the owner told me “Avi, you are the best person we ever had in the three generations that this business has existed.”

I will never forget that and will never forget the wonderful people who have been part of my life long training in security. Jack Flam taught me how to combine what he called my “Israeli fast thinking” with American professionalism. Jack also taught me the importance of community in the American mind (this aligns well with “the Israeli way”). To this day I remain a member of many chambers of commerce and networking groups that Jack introduced me to.

In 1994, I opened my first store in Studio City, California, where I gradually developed with one goal in mind: to be able to offer people a “one-stop shop” for all their security needs and concerns. And I have had that for some time now. My Mulholland Security Centers, Inc (www.MulhollandSecurity.com) can help any business, manufacturing or residence by understanding their issues, looking at the overall picture and offering  solutions based on a balance of performance and budget.

I will never leave anyone without a security solution because of not having money; there are solutions for everyone.

Solutions for Everyone

We are individuals and each of us is different. Each of us have certain needs to feel better in our surroundings. By listening very carefully and asking the right questions I can be perfectly on target, offering the right solutions.

I have met many security consultants throughout my career. I believe I am quite different as  I have a very extensive background. I have been through at least 10,000 places that I helped secure: I have been to thousands of places that have been burglarized;  I have seen home invasions.

I have been a locksmith working at nights where I have met criminals face to face and listened to them and to their ideas, I have learned a lot on the job by actually doing it, seeing it and being there.

I have dealt with every thing from the simple things; from the keys, locks, door and window hardware and safes, all the way up through the most sophisticated security and surveillance equipment available — and even stuff that is not yet available! There isn’t an aspect of security that I don’t have familiarity with.

My Success is Your Success

Mulholland has eight phone lines with three people answering them non stop for help with security issues. I have experts who I have trained standing by and top technicians installing security hardware. We are now a leading security company due to the extent of our knowledge and skills.

I am happy to say that my track record is in great shape. I have an A+ rated BBB company with years in the business and thousands of clients and services given through out the country.

Today I am more of a separate entity due to the amount of people who want to consult with me;  I am consulting  manufacturers, universities, hospitals, management companies, condominium complexes, government officials, ccelebrities, and individuals.

My charges are kept low for security consultation at $125.00 an hour. In my consultations we get a lot done quickly and efficiently. I can literally “do it all”; getting you all the right tools at the best quality and the best prices. Over the years, I have built up a very impressive network!

Please feel free to call me for further information. I am happy to consult with you. Security is the mission of my life.