Russell Kolins is the CEO of Kolins Security Group in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a security and dram shop expert. Russell Kolins focuses on security and crowd management for bars, restaurants, hotels, stadiums and arenas, and he provides litigation support and expert witness testimony in court and administrative hearings.
Kolins Security Group has served clients since 1969 and describes its team as nationally recognized, court certified security experts. The firm works for both plaintiffs and defendants, as well as businesses, government entities, insurers, cultural institutions, educational establishments, healthcare facilities and financial institutions.
Under Russell Kolins, the firm provides physical security consulting and security assessments, workplace security evaluations and workplace violence prevention, situational awareness training, CPTED services, and compliance reviews for nightclub and bar operations, responsible alcohol management and other regulated industries. Its expertise also extends to commercial premises liability, liquor liability, fraud, cybercrime and organized criminal groups.
Russell Kolins teaches crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and serves on the membership committee of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC). The firm has also developed a crime deterrence and safety course tied to Florida Statute 768.0706 for multifamily properties.
Hotels, resorts, restaurants and nightlife venues have to balance a welcoming guest experience with real security responsibilities. Russell Kolins looks at guest room and key control, staffing, crowd management, parking areas, incident response and training, and how those practices hold up against industry standards and prior incidents.
In litigation, Russell Kolins reviews the record, the property or the incident and gives attorneys a clear, independent opinion on whether security measures met the accepted standard of care. That work can include case review, site inspections, written reports, deposition and trial testimony. Attorneys on both the plaintiff and defense side use this kind of review to understand foreseeability, what reasonable security looked like at the time and whether a failure contributed to the harm. You can also browse other expert witness consultants in the directory.
CPTED uses the design of a place to discourage crime. Russell Kolins reviews natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement and maintenance so that the layout of a property works for legitimate users and against offenders. These reviews are especially useful for new construction, renovations, multifamily housing and properties that want to lower risk without making the space feel like a fortress. You can also browse other CPTED consultants in the directory.
Hospitals and clinics face a unique mix of risks: emergency department violence, behavioral health patients, infant security, controlled substances and open public access around the clock. Russell Kolins brings experience with the standards and practices that apply to healthcare settings, helping leaders protect patients, visitors and staff while keeping care accessible.
Credentials matter because they are earned, not bought. Board certifications from ASIS International and designations from the International Association of Professional Security Consultants require documented experience, a rigorous exam or peer review, and ongoing professional education. When you compare consultants, ask which credentials each holds, who issued them and whether they are current.
Every engagement begins with understanding the specific site, organization or case. Russell Kolins reviews the available documents, incident history and current practices before forming any opinion, so that recommendations fit the real situation rather than a generic checklist.
Findings are grounded in recognized industry guidelines, professional standards and lessons learned from comparable sites and incidents. That makes recommendations easier to defend in front of a board, an insurer, a regulator or a court.
Clients receive clear findings ranked by risk, with practical steps that range from quick policy and training changes to longer term investments in design and technology. The aim is real improvement that the organization can afford and sustain.
Executives, attorneys and front line staff all need to understand the findings. Russell Kolins explains technical issues in plain language and is available to walk leadership or counsel through the results.
Russell Kolins works with plaintiff and defense attorneys, insurers, bars, nightclubs and restaurants, hotels and resorts, stadiums and arenas, commercial and multifamily properties, cultural and educational institutions, healthcare facilities and financial institutions.
If any of these apply, an independent review by a consultant such as Russell Kolins can show where the real gaps are and which fixes matter most.
Independent consultants are paid for their judgment, not for selling products or staffing hours. That independence lets Russell Kolins give candid advice about what is working, what is not and what is worth the investment. For attorneys, independence and recognized credentials are what make an expert opinion credible. For organizations, it means recommendations that are sized to the actual risk rather than to a sales target.
Professional bodies such as ASIS International and the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) set credentials and ethical standards for this work, and clients increasingly look for those markers when choosing an expert.
A good consultant will welcome these questions. Russell Kolins can walk you through credentials, experience and approach in a short first conversation.
The best time is before an incident: during planning for a new building or renovation, after a change in leadership or operations, when an audit or insurer raises concerns, or when staff report growing worries about safety. A consultant can also help after an incident, reviewing what happened and what should change.
An independent consultant does not sell guards, cameras or alarm equipment, so recommendations are based only on the client’s risk and needs. That independence is also why attorneys and courts give weight to the opinions of independent experts.
Most engagements include an initial conversation, a review of documents and history, a site visit or case review where appropriate, and a written report or opinion. The scope, timeline and fee are agreed at the start so there are no surprises.
Yes. Russell Kolins is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Kolins Security Group works on matters nationwide. Reach out with the location and details of your property or case to discuss availability.
Fees depend on the size and complexity of the property or case, the amount of material to review, travel and whether testimony is needed. Most consultants work on an hourly basis or a fixed project fee agreed in advance. Ask Russell Kolins for an estimate once the scope is clear, and see our cost guide for typical ranges.
A focused site assessment or case review can often be completed in a few weeks, while larger programs, multiple sites or complex litigation take longer. Court deadlines and board meetings can usually be accommodated when they are shared at the start, so mention any dates in your first message.
Use the contact form on this page to send a message directly, or visit Kolins Security Group. Include a short description of your property, organization or case, the type of help you need and your timeline.
Most engagements start with a short conversation about the situation, the questions that need answers and any deadlines. From there, Russell Kolins recommends a clear scope, whether that is an assessment, a program review, training or expert witness support.
A little preparation makes the first conversation more useful. Have a short description of the property, organization or case ready, note any recent incidents, claims or deadlines, and gather existing documents such as security plans, policies, prior assessments or pleadings. With that information, Russell Kolins can quickly suggest the right next step.
Every inquiry sent through Find a Security Consultant goes straight to the consultant. There is no fee to contact Russell Kolins, no middleman and no obligation, and your message stays private between you and the consultant. If the fit is not right, you can reach out to other consultants in the directory or post a project to receive several proposals at once.
If you are comparing several consultants, you can also request proposals from vetted security consultants, or read our physical security assessment cost guide before you decide.
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