Zone Security Ratings

Districts and specific zones are rated with a Security Zone Rating. This is a professional rating that can be used as a useful tool in determining what kind of security might be active in that area and provide some sort of guidance. They provide only a quick snapshot of what might be expected, but please note that these rating might increase or decrease because of specific circumstances or specific zone within a district. These are the descriptions of all Security Zone Ratings, from worst to best:

Security rating Z
These zones have no organized security, mainly because there isn't usually anything of worth. These zones are in states of anarchy and law enforcement agencies will only enter these areas in direct pursuit of investigation and when they do so they are geared up for war. Z-zones are considered hazardous duty, and officers get triple pay as well as a week off afterwards.

There are no patrols in Z-zones and the law enforcement won't respond to calls to crimes in these areas. Even gangs don't provide informal security, because these areas are blazed wastelands without anything to protect. They are where most forgotten parts of the world go to stay lost, things like ghouls and paracritters may be found here.


 * Types of security offered: none
 * Typical security force: none

Security rating E
The main difference between Z- and E-Zones is that people still tend to live in the E-zones. These zones are slums and all conditions are poor, since law enforcement resources are scarce they rather ignore these zones. The people that live here aren't 'real' people, so why make an effort. NYPD and S/F did not assign patrols to these areas, so patrols are mostly non-existent. Law enforcement will however respond to SINned citizens who call in complains or if the violence is about to overrun the area to other more 'important' areas. Gang enforcement is the real force to reckon with here, though; many make their homes in E-zones and don't react well to outsiders.


 * Typical security offered: Slow, half-hearted police response. More vigorous gang response. Little to no magic or matrix support.
 * Typical security force: Two beat cops (prof. rat. 3) or five to six gangers (prof. rat. 1) plus 1 lieutenant.

Security rating D
These zones haven't made it up to 'nice' yet, but contain enough corp drones that the overseers feel some obligation to provide a law enforcement response. There is a less proactive control of crime and they have to react to the problem. Additionally, citizens are less likely to be receptive to officers, creating a poor relationship. Patrols happen maybe twice a day, investigations are cursory and the officers are inexperienced. The gangs are invested but cautions, knowing that police is more likely if they get too aggressive.


 * Typical security offered: law enforcement response within 20 minutes. Cautious gang response. Little to no magic or matrix support.
 * Typical security force: Two beat cops (prof. rat. 3) or four gangers (prof. rat. 1) plus lieutenant.

Security rating C
These zones are nice enough to the point where the corporations have to consider reputational risk. C-zones are more residential, while D-zones in contrast are more commercial. Government nor corporations won't hide anything truly valuable in these areas but if they let criminals run rampant over the people who live here they will look ineffectual an weak and that is what matters to them. Patrols happen every hour or two, gang activity is muted and far less violent than in D- and E-zones. Organized crime, on the other hand, often has strongholds in these areas, so caution needs to be paid if any group has interest in a particular property.


 * Typical security offered: Law enforcement response within 15 minutes. Spirits (Force 2-3) sent to investigate reports of violent magic. Remote Matrix spiders (prof. rat. 3) might investigate extensive hacking efforts.
 * Typical security force: Four beat cops (prof. rat. 3) plus lieutenant or three to four organized crime gang members (prof. rat. 4).

Security rating B
These zones are where the corporations start getting interested. There are residential areas with people who, while not irreplaceable, are annoying to keep replacing. Industrial and commercial areas in this category are moneymakers - they don't have top-secret prototypes, but they either do good business or make stuff that makes the corporations money, as such, they are 'High Criminal Target Areas' (where runners like to hit). There are resources committed to keeping these zones safe, typically around-the-clock security. Crime-wise, these areas are beyond the reach of gangs and solidly in organized crime territory. Their truly high-end activities get a higher designation, but things like a profitable gambling salon will get this level of protection.


 * Types of security offered: On-site security at all times, with reinforcements within ten minutes, including magical support of two spirits (Force 4). Matrix spiders (prof. rat.) regularly check on Matrix infrastructure in the area.


 * Typical security force: Four cops/security officers (prof. rat. 3) and one lieutenant on site; four more officers (prof. rat. 3) and two SWAT officers (prof. rat. 5) in response teams or five organized crime members (prof. rat. 4) and one lieutenant on site.

Security rating A
To the corporations this is where the bulk of the world's population lives. In well-kept neighbourhoods with regular law enforcement patrols and rapid response. In reality, this is the first level for the elite of the world. Patrols of live officers are supplemented by the occasional passes of drones. Organized crime is present, but it puts its best foot forward, looking corporate and keeping on site violence to a minimum. These zones are headaches for shadowrunners, because the security they use in these spots tends to be subtle and good at getting the job done while staying out of sight. Plenty of illicit narcotics are shipped out of A-rated zones, packaged to look as innocuous as possible.


 * Types of security offered: Some form of security passes every five minutes. Drones (dev. rat. 4-5) and sometimes spirits (force 4-5) provide occasional astral and Matrix overwatch.


 * Typical security force: six cops/security officers (prof. rat. 3) and two lieutenants on site; four SWAT officers (prof. rat. 5) and a lieutenant in response teams, sometimes multiple response teams are called. Six organized crime members (prof. rat. 4) and two lieutenants on site.

Security rating AA
These zones hold enough high-value electronics in a single residential block to keep a dealer in clover for months. The security is incredibly high for that reason, as drones and spirits come by multiple times per day. Mundane patrols are very regular and emergency calls practically get an army appearing in response. Some organized crime bosses live in these neighbourhood, but they are but they’re usually considered fine, tax-paying residents, so they rely on the same law enforcement that everyone else uses, and they get the same response rates. Sometimes they’ll have something super-sensitive with AA security, like a drug-manufacturing lab. In those cases, they’ll provide the security themselves, as calling the cops to stop a robbery at a drug plant never works out well for anyone. Some magic research facilities and Matrix data havens have AA security, too. As would be expected, it leans more toward magic and Matrix security, respectively.


 * Types of security offered: Spirits (force 5-6) and drones (dev. rat. 5-6) provide occasional Astral and Matrix overwatch, some form of security patrol passes every five minutes. Magical barriers are used along with physical barriers.
 * Typical security force: Four elite corporate security (prof. rat. 7) and a lieutenant on site; six SWAT officers (prof. rat. 5) and two lieutenants in response teams, and multiple response teams may be called. Eight organized crime members (prof. rat. 4) and four lieutenants on site.

Security rating AAA
At this point, things are very serious. Given that this is as high as the ratings go, you can expect all the stops to be pulled. Magic, Matrix, and physical security will all get their due attention, and the operators will be well trained and not interested in any nonsense. The corps have all the money in the world, and they focus it on keeping these areas safe.


 * Types of security offered: Astral and Matrix overwatch is continual. Spirits (force 6 and up), drones (dev. rat. 6 and up), and world-class security spiders work hand-in-hand with GOD to keep the areas safe. Magical barriers are used along with physical barriers.


 * Typical security force: Eight elite corporate security (prof. rat. 7) and two lieutenants on site; four HTR special forces officers (prof. rat. 9-10) and two lieutenants in response teams, and multiple response teams may be called.