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San Diego is grappling with a severe security guard shortage that is compromising the safety of its libraries, parks, and other public spaces. The issue has arisen due to the expiration of the city’s contract with Allstate Security and the ongoing dispute over a new contract with Allied Universal, leading to significant concerns about staff and patron safety.
Current Situation
Misty Jones, Director of San Diego Public Library, expressed alarm over the situation, stating that the city is receiving only half of the required security coverage daily. “This is really untenable for us and a dangerous situation for our staff and patrons,” Jones said. The security gap is a result of the city’s stalled plan to transition from Allstate Security, which has been criticized for inadequate coverage during the transition period.
Allstate Security, which had been contracted by the city since 2019, has claimed it is doing its best to maintain services during the transition. However, Jones indicated that the company’s performance has declined since it was notified of the impending contract change.
Contract Controversy
The City Council’s Budget and Government Efficiency Committee recently rejected a proposal to replace Allstate with Allied Universal, citing concerns about the latter’s history of labor violations and a wrongful death payout in 2021. Allied Universal, the nation’s largest security firm, was proposed for a five-year contract valued at $50.5 million, an 88% increase from the previous contract with Allstate.
Councilmembers criticized the mayor’s staff for allowing the contract with Allstate to expire without a new agreement in place, creating a significant security gap. Councilmember Vivian Moreno expressed frustration, stating, “This is not the first contract we’ve received at the 11th hour — at the 12th hour at this point. It’s irresponsible.”
Proposed Solutions and Future Steps
The City Council has requested the mayor’s team to develop a policy requiring thorough vetting of potential contractors for past violations of wage or labor laws, aiming to prevent future issues. This new policy is expected to be ready for approval by December.
Additionally, leaders advocating for the unionization of local security guards have voiced their disappointment over the rejection of the Allied Universal deal, which would have brought unionized workers into the city’s security system.
Financial Implications
In 2019, a city analysis suggested that bringing security work in-house would cost approximately $108 million over five years, nearly four times the cost of the existing contract. However, Councilmember Moreno criticized the previous analysis, arguing that it did not accurately reflect the cost of security services compared to other city positions.
As San Diego navigates this crisis, the focus remains on finding a viable long-term solution to ensure adequate security coverage and address the concerns raised by staff and city officials.
