For over 45 years, we’ve been helping South Florida homes and businesses protect what matters most — delivering quality installations, fast service, and a personal touch.
By industry standards, we are pioneers, providing security solutions to our clients for over 45 years.
Our technicians average 25 years of experience in the alarm industry, and many have been with us since the beginning. Every Aressco technician is factory-trained by the major alarm manufacturers. Regardless of your system’s age, if it can be repaired, you can trust us to keep it operating reliably.
Our central monitoring center, located in South Miami-Dade County, is one of the last truly local central stations in South Florida. It is approved and listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), one of the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification organizations. As a UL-listed company, our central station consistently meets or exceeds the rigorous NFPA and UL standards — among the most demanding in the industry.
Aressco Services, Inc. was formed in 1997, but our story begins decades earlier with two respected South Florida alarm companies: Aressco, Inc. of Kendall and Assured Security Company of Homestead.
In 1979, at the age of 18, Don Richter incorporated Aressco, Inc. as a way to help pay for his college education. After graduating, the growing demand for reliable security systems in South Florida turned this part-time venture into a full-time career.
Over the years, Aressco, Inc. became a respected name in the alarm industry, with thousands of satisfied customers from Palm Beach to the Florida Keys. Known for quality installations and responsive service, the company built a loyal customer base that spanned both residential and commercial accounts.
Assured Security Company began operations in Homestead, Florida in 1974. In 1985, Matthew Forristall and his partner Robert Houston assumed ownership, expanding the business into Homestead’s premier security and fire alarm provider.
Assured served customers across Florida, with most located in Dade and Monroe counties. After Hurricane Andrew devastated the region in 1992, Assured—like much of Homestead—had to rebuild from the ground up. By 1995, thanks to its reputation for quality work and personal service, it had grown into the largest independent alarm company in Homestead.
In 1995 and 1996, the alarm industry underwent massive consolidation, with many smaller independent companies being acquired by national firms. Both Aressco and Assured were purchased by Republic Industries during this period.
Within just over a year, Republic decided to exit the alarm business entirely, selling off its security division and shifting its focus to what would become AutoNation USA. This left many customers without the personal, local service they had come to rely on.
While enjoying a brief early retirement, both Don and Matt felt the pull of the industry they had helped build. Many of their former customers were also personal friends, and both men were concerned about the disruption caused by repeated corporate buyouts.
In September 1997, with encouragement from customers, employees, and friends, Don Richter and Matthew Forristall joined forces to launch Aressco Services, Inc.—bringing their combined experience and dedication back to the community under one roof.
Today, Aressco Services, Inc. continues its founders’ mission: delivering reliable, custom-designed security and fire systems, supported by a local team that knows the community it serves. From homes to large commercial properties, our focus remains the same—quality installations, fast service, and personal attention.