The Secret Army Guarding L.A.’s Elite: What You Don’t Know

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On the fifth night of the fires, if by chance you were strolling near the northern border of Brentwood, you may have observed a sizable white van positioned before a luxurious $15 million Georgian revival house on North Bristol Avenue. However, it’s important to note that by then, the neighborhood had already been emptied due to evacuation orders, and it was heavily patrolled by national guardsmen who were on high alert for looters. So, it would have been better not to be there.

Perhaps, there’s also a chance that you didn’t. The car was incredibly unremarkable. It lacked any distinguishing features like markings or logos, had only a few dimly tinted windows close to the driver’s compartment, and offered nothing visually striking at all.

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It’s possible that you didn’t see it. The car was as inconspicuous as could be. It bore no identifying marks or logos, had only a few dimly tinted windows near the driver’s area, and lacked any eye-catching features whatsoever.

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It may well be that you missed it. The vehicle was completely unremarkable. It didn’t have any markings or logos, had only a few dimly tinted windows near the driver’s cabin, and didn’t stand out in any way at all.

Within the vehicle, however, a completely contrasting scenario unfolded. Here, you would have encountered an advanced mobile crime-fighting command center that would make Batman green with envy due to its state-of-the-art technology. The interior was jam-packed with high-definition monitors displaying live video feeds, advanced communication equipment capable of linking with Starlink, drone launching and tracking systems, AI-enhanced license plate recognition software, smart data analysis tools, and radar-sensor devices that could generate clear images of the surroundings, even in pitch-black darkness.

At the heart of everything, rotating with a villain-like swivel on an ergonomic chair, gazing at his Oakley ballistic glasses towards various screens, stood Chris Dunn, aged 56, founder of Covered 6. He is known as one of the most successful and secretive private security operators in L.A., providing personal protection to a wide range of clients such as Elon Musk, Kanye West, and Kim Kardashian over the years.

As I gaze upon our cutting-edge mobile command center, brimming with excitement, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride. Not many, if any other security firms, boast such advanced technology – and certainly not the police. It truly sets us apart!

For many years, private security companies have been a common sight, particularly in Los Angeles, which has led to ongoing discussions about their role. Some people view them as nothing more than high-tech, expensive vigilantes or a secretive police force for the wealthy and famous. Conversely, others – notably the affluent and well-known individuals – consider these firms essential, as they step in to address growing security concerns that municipal police forces are finding increasingly difficult to manage due to dwindling resources.

Over the decades, private security companies have been a prominent feature, particularly within Los Angeles, leading to ongoing arguments about their purpose. To some, these firms resemble high-tech, expensive vigilantes or a secret police force for the wealthy and famous. On the other hand, the rich and famous – as well as many others – see them as vital services, stepping up to fill the widening security void that municipal police forces are finding harder and harder to address due to shrinking resources.

But now, with the wildfires, there’s a new twist to the discussion.

For example, consider Rick Caruso’s high-end shopping mall located in Pacific Palisades. Unlike many other structures, it managed to withstand the fire due to several reasons. Firstly, being just 7 years old and built using flame-resistant materials made it more resilient than the older buildings nearby. Secondly, the wealthy developer (who has previously run for mayor and may consider a gubernatorial bid) had the financial means to hire a private firefighting team from Arizona. This team, equipped with their own water tankers, was dedicated to protecting Caruso’s property during the fire.

It’s wonderful for Caruso, but what about his neighbors who unfortunately had to lose their homes due to lack of resources for personal firefighters? Aren’t they also entitled to protection? Is this kind of luxury now exclusively available only for the wealthy?

Dunn explains his viewpoint as being based on supply and demand. He served for 17 years in the Burbank and L.A. police departments, earning an LAPD medal of valor at the age of 31. Apart from his law enforcement career, he also experimented with inventions; one of his patents is a briefcase that transforms into a full-length bulletproof shield, reminiscent of Q Branch creations. In 2010, Dunn established Covered 6, which translates to ‘cover your back’ in military terms.

He continues, stating that one of his models for this company is Research and Development (R&D). Unlike police departments, I’m not aware of any that engage in R&D. Instead, it’s the private sector leading innovation. This presents a chance for us to be trailblazers in technology, tackling public safety concerns, and finding solutions.

“If there’s a problem,” he adds, “why can’t we solve it?”

Currently, the issue he’s working on involves the unlawful theft happening in affluent neighborhoods such as northern Brentwood, triggered by fires. Dunn has a team of several men, who are large and well-armed, patrolling the region while on the lookout for potential disturbances. They are dressed in black tactical gear that seems reminiscent of Josh Brolin’s outfits from the movie Sicario.

Dunn remarks that looting is commonplace, but he’s never witnessed such a high number of individuals, often wearing masks or hoods, attempting to enter private homes with the intent to steal.

Additionally, Dunn maintains a smaller team stationed tactically atop Mandeville Canyon. They are equipped with hoses and firefighting tools, ready to intervene should the advancing flames pose a danger to the luxurious houses he is safeguarding.

For services similar to Covered 6, they’ve racked up undisclosed amounts in the thousands of dollars – figures as secretive as Covered 6 itself – that will be covered this Saturday by homeowners on and around North Bristol Avenue, who have collectively pooled their substantial funds.

As a gamer, I’m often tasked with stealth and discretion, much like the work Covered 6 does in the world of private security. Their actions, many times, go unnoticed by the public eye. For example, they were the ones that Beverly Hills discreetly hired to protect the neighborhood’s Israeli flags display honoring those who had been killed and kidnapped on Oct. 7. They used drones to keep a watchful eye over them.

In the midst of the COVID era, my team worked alongside BHPD to combat the surge of smash-and-grab robberies that were plaguing luxury department stores across the city.

A few years prior to that, we assisted Hidden Hills in getting rid of the “Chilean tourism burglars” who had been repeatedly targeting their affluent community.

Simultaneously, without making a single headline, we protected Kim and Kanye’s $60 million mansion from the 2018 Woolsey Fire.

He stated that another group arrived following our efforts to extinguish the fire, yet they claimed responsibility for it. He chose not to dispute their claim, but rather, they arrived once the fire was already underway and had been burning throughout the day.

Unlike certain other security firms in Los Angeles who emphasize their use of former Mossad agents as a marketing tactic, Covered 6 takes a different approach. While Dunn and his team may be armed and equipped with tactical gear, they are remarkably polite, much like Canadians. As Dunn puts it, “Other people say, ‘I was in the military, this is how we appear. If you’re afraid, being scared is okay.’ ” Instead, we strive to emulate the Four Seasons – courteous, thoughtful, and discreet; that’s our style.

Recently, his interests seem to be growing. In addition to bolstering security services, he has initiated a vocational training program. This program, modeled as a multiweek boot camp at the company’s Moorpark headquarters, provides instruction in areas such as firefighting and other security-related skills. Always innovative, he has also designed customized fire trucks and water tankers and established a partnership with a tactical clothing manufacturer to produce his own line of firefighting uniforms and equipment. Luckily, you don’t need to seek out Josh Brolin for those black tactical outfits; they are available for purchase online at the Covered 6 Essential Gear Shop.

Tonight in Brentwood, Dunn stays dedicated to his task, ensuring North Bristol Avenue’s safety against fires, looters, and potential hidden dangers. From within his tech-equipped white van, he turns in his command seat and gives instructions to his team, giving off an air of a man committed to protection and service – all for a premium cost.

He remarks mysteriously, ‘The future holds great intrigue,’ as he stares intensely at his screens. ‘I fear it’s much more troubling than most are aware.’

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2025-01-30 17:27