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Mace Security Announces Engagement of Grant Thornton, LLP

17 January 2000

Mace Security International Announces Engagement of Grant Thornton, LLP As Independent Auditors

    MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Jan. 17 -- Mace Security International,
Inc. (Mace) announced today that it has engaged Grant Thornton,
LLP as its new independent auditors.
    Grant Thornton, LLP, which was established in 1924, is an international
accounting and management consulting firm serving clients from over 550
offices in 90 countries.  In addition, Grant Thornton is the sixth largest
accounting, tax and management consulting firm in the United States, and
employs more than 3000 professionals in 48 domestic offices.
    Louis D. Paolino, Jr., CEO and Chairman of MSI, said, "We are very pleased
to have found such a solid and diversified firm to assist MSI's strategic plan
of growth in the car wash business.  Grant Thornton's worldwide reputation in
working with fast-growing entrepreneurial companies, along with their
significant SEC reporting and public company practice, is very impressive.
We look forward to working with their professionals as we focus on reporting
MSI's first profitable year since its initial public offering in 1993."
    On January 10, 2000, Ernst & Young, LLP resigned as MSI's independent
auditors as a result of a business conflict, which Ernst & Young determined
they had between MSI and another client of Ernst & Young.  Ernst & Young has
served as the independent auditors of MSI since May 1999.
    Mace Security International, Inc. is a provider of car care services which
owns and operates numerous car washes nationwide.  The Company is also a
leading producer of less lethal defense sprays for the consumer market and a
marketer of consumer safety and security products.

    This press release includes statements which may constitute
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  This information may
involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limitation, risks relating
to the financial outcomes of the planned business and growth strategies, that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in
such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected.

    Contact:
    Eduardo Nieves, Jr., Investor Relations, 856-778-2300