Northglen 50+: Front page ignites Marshall Security’s start
As we mark the 51st anniversary of the Northglen News in 2025, it’s a moment to reflect on the journey from our first edition, published in 1974, to the vibrant local presence we are today. To celebrate this milestone, we will feature some of the most loyal and supportive readers and businesses. This month we chatted to the founder of Marshall Security, Tyron Powell.
AS a young police reservist, protecting his community and fighting crime was always something Tyron Powell was passionate about.
It was that passion that led him to starting his own security company, Marshall Security, in 2006.
It was a front page story in the Northglen News showing the arrest of a house burglar on Regent Place in Durban North that also contributed to start Marshall Security.
Powell, the founder and managing director of the company, explained that a comment from a fellow resident, Ryan Schnell, drew him to the idea.
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“At the time there had been a surge of house break-ins and thefts in the area. There was a gang targeting homes in the area and as reservists, myself, Dave Campbell and Louis Keyter who were all reservists, helped with crime prevention operations at the time. The residents held a meeting calling for security companies to help them fight crime. Ryan Schnell, who was part of the CPF at the time of the arrest which featured on the cover of Northglen News, asked ‘why don’t you start a security company?’
“Ultimately that’s what led to me starting the company. Dave (Campbell), who was also an attorney, registered the company for us. When it came to brainstorming the company name we had written a few names down and I was watching a series called US Marshal on Reality TV, and I thought, Marshall, Marshall Security, and that’s how we came into being. At the time we were just passionate about fighting crime that we never envisioned us growing to where we are today, a little under 20 years later,” he said.
Powell also spoke on the special connection with the Northglen News.
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“We’ve always had a great relationship with reporters at the newspaper. We would deal with Heinz de Boer, who is now the Ward 36 councillor, and Corrinne Louw, who is now the Group Editor. We’ve always maintained the relationship with the reporters. Every Tuesday when I get home I look forward to reading the newspaper. I know the paper has an online footprint but I love the hard copy. I’ve actually kept several Northglen News from the 1990s with stories we featured in. I have a little bit of an archive at home. What I love about the newspaper is that it is area-specific news in an area I live in and grew up in. I also wish Northglen News 50 more years of growth,” he said.
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