During their July 25 meeting, the City Council reached a unanimous decision, 7-0, to approve a proposal hiring a private security company for additional policing, security, and community services in the downtown area. The plan will be implemented as a pilot program and is slated to run for 12 months, with a budget of $1.7 million. The selected private security firm, Covered 6, emerged victorious after a comprehensive 90-minute discussion covering various aspects of operations in the downtown zone.
The move to hire extra security services was driven by growing concerns over crime in the Downtown area and the escalating homelessness crisis. The council’s decision came as an endorsement of a proposal put forth by Downtown Santa Monica Inc., a nonprofit overseeing the city’s premier retail zone. Though the security proposal was part of a larger discussion on DTSM’s annual budget, it dominated the majority of the time.
The decision raised questions about the fate of the current 16 employees of the Community Ambassador program. Andrew Thomas, CEO of DTSM, explained that they would no longer be needed and might have opportunities to relocate to other operations within the region under the vendor, Block by Block, who had supplied their services.\
Funding for the program, totaling $1.1 million, will be reallocated from the existing Community Ambassador program. The remaining funds will come from the overall DTSM budget, which comprises assessments and property taxes from retail outlets.
Covered 6 Chief Operating Officer Mike Grant provided details on the security operations, stating that three shifts would operate throughout the day, supervised by an armed individual. However, Grant emphasized that only the supervisor would carry a firearm, and other security personnel would not be armed. He assured that in case of a 911 call, Santa Monica Police Department officers would respond, not Covered 6 employees.
The topic of arming private security personnel drew significant attention during the discussion. Councilmember Jesse Zwick expressed discomfort with the idea of private citizens being armed, particularly in situations requiring deadly force.
Covered 6 COO, Grant, highlighted that over the ten years of their existence and across various locations, including Beverly Hills, there was only one instance where an employee had to draw their weapon. He clarified that the weapon was not fired but was used to intervene in an attempted murder, leading to the arrest of the perpetrator by the Beverly Hills Police Department.
DTSM Chair, Eric Sedman, stressed that the new security company would complement the existing police patrols and aim to change the perception of safety in the downtown area. The security guards’ role would mimic that of police patrols to provide an additional layer of engagement, particularly concerning behavioral issues of unhoused individuals.
While the Covered 6 proposal passed unanimously, some council members expressed doubts about its effectiveness. Despite skepticism, they acknowledged the decision of DTSM and its board, as well as the preferences of those paying the assessments, in determining the best use of taxes to improve the city’s safety and well-being.
Great program. Wrong employees and no supervision. That’s the problem. The Guardian Angels” in NYC worked out well under Curtis Sliwa. This problem is a failure because you’ve hired employees looking for dates and free food, not security Ambassadors.
not true
defund the polic encourages the criminals
curtis and the crew cant stop the criminals
The ideologues on city council tried to make Block By Block into something it was never intended to be. A simple review of the parent company’s evolving website shows a company that marketed business district concierge services that WeHo tried to scam us as “community safety”. Can’t put a square peg in a round hole. Let’s see how deep a line in the sand is drawn by our local abolitionists and defunders. The council majority in WeHo was wrong then, and will likely continue its pigheaded approach in avoiding listening to and hearing actual residents of the city; the people who live and breath… Read more »
agree
Doesn’t really matter who you hire if your policy on hard drug use in “progressive” cities is that it’s just a disease and not a crime, so these people are not kept in jail where maybe they can dry out or get mental health. As long as we consider them our “unhoused neighbors” the situation is only gonna get worse. Take a ride to San Francisco if you want to see our future.
That’s never going to happen here because Shyne would have to go back to practicing law since she wouldn’t have a kickback or commission from the BBB BS!
There is no substitute for authentic, classically trained law enforcement in tune with current societal needs.
Yess, I agree. Although sometimes I don’t agree with it but in reality you get what you pay for.
Hey, West Hollywood city council…..WAKE THE HELL UP!
Don’t we already have an organization to address crime? it’s called the police.
Block by Block has been helpful in removing vagrants from my neighborhood in cases where the police would never come out to help.
We need some type of police force dedicated to protecting residents from the unhoused lunatics and bums that have invaded our spaces.
It should be noted that one week prior to this decision, a Santa Monica Council Member was attacked in the city’s downtown shopping promenade. Maybe that incident expedited this better approach to public safety.
Nothing changes a politician’s mind faster than being the victim of their own failed policies.
If someone is a Santa Monica council member, they know better than anyone else how dangerous the City has become, mostly due to their policies of practically begging the homeless to come there and stay. The attacked Council member should stop acting fake shocked and fake surprised that someone would get attacked there.
Iused to enjoy my late night walks in my neighborhood. The fresh air, the peacefulness added to my enjoyment. But that has all changed. Instead of cutting the number of deputies the City of West Hollywood should be increasing their number. We should be making West Hollywood a place where “Bad Actors” are afraid to venture into. I do remember some 60 years ago when the Sheriffs in West Hollywood were not to be messed with. Perhaps a little rough justice is what is needed for those who dare violate our city and its residents.