Security store finds niche in Bloomington

Freshmen Ben Krebs and Jake Huffman walked down South College Avenue and passed by a shop they found interesting. Outside a store window, they saw many different stun guns and spy cameras, ending finally at a glass box where a few handguns rested inside.

The duo walked into Bloomington Home and Personal Security Store to look at the guns inside the store.

“I’m a gun fan,” Krebs said.

Jim Graham, the owner of the store, said the store sells different kinds of alarm systems, cameras, weapons, locks and other safety devices. He described a personal alarm that clips on a belt loop and is accessible to deploy if a person feels danger near.

Graham said his store also stocks spy cameras, big and small, one mimicking the appearance of a simple key fob with a voice recorder installed.

Among the other items in the shop there were also safety locks for cars and lockers, electronic doorbells, alcohol testers and even multifunctional tasers.

“The pepper spray is a personal favorite of mine because its an inexpensive item of protection and anyone can use it,” Graham said.

Graham said the store’s target customers are IU students because at the time of his idea for the store, there was no place in town forsecurity merchandise.

He said he felt students should be protected, aware and prepared to keep themselves safe with the help of these useful items.

The Bloomington Home and Personal Security Store opened on April 7 and promoted its grand opening in June.

“I wanted to make a place for people to come and buy products to better protect themselves,” Graham said.

Graham’s store is just one of his security-based businesses. He also owns Graham’s Security, a company that has security officials patrol commercial and residential areas and also provides security for celebrities that visit IU’s campus.

Graham is also the co-founder of www.B-AWARE.us, where residents in the nearby communities in Indiana, such as Bloomington, Greenwood and Terre Haute, can observe real police reports and be more aware of the crime committed in the neighborhood.

“I think everybody is born to do something, and I was born to protect people and property,” Graham said.

The Bloomington Home and Personal Security Store is a place where Graham feels that students can come in and find what they need.

He said he has many years of experience in the security business and has a strong passion for keeping his community safe and giving IU students the tools to be more aware and protected in
Bloomington.