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A one-year, $399,000, contract to provide citywide security officers and services to Ocala City Hall, the Citizens’ Service Center, the City Complex, and the downtown parking garage, is up for renewal on Wednesday.
The contract with VIP Security & Investigations, LLC, will come up for a vote during the Ocala City Council’s regular meeting on Wednesday, September 3. In October 2021, council members approved the award of a three-year contract to VIP Security & Investigations, LLC. That company is owned by Angela and George Juaristic.
The original contract included three optional renewals, the first of which was approved on September 3, 2024. If approved, this year’s renewal would be the second of three.
According to the city, security officers are used to “guide citizens, greet and process visitors at City Hall, monitor the parking garage, monitor Citizens’ Circle, patrol the city complex, and encorce ordinances and rules on city property.”
Beyond the original contract, city staff says additional security services have been requested for “various ad-hoc events that arise throughout the year,” as well as for a new post at the city complex while it is “locked down during and after business hours.”
The city has also expanded security services to include a checkpoint (i.e., guard shack) at one of its main entry points to “welcome incoming staff and visitors.” Those individuals are “throughly” reviewed by security personnel, according to staff.
City staff says security officers have “responded promptly” when called upon in the past to deal with aggressive patrons at any of the aforementioned structures.
“The presence of security officers provides a visible deterrent throughout the City Complex, parking garage, and Citizens’ Circle,” reads the city’s staff report. Staff also says loitering has been reduced “in and around Citizens’ Circle” due to the presence of security officers.
“Having security guards on-site has proven to be a valuable asset in ensuring that staff, citizens, and visitors are protected from potential acts of violence,” according to staff.
The Ocala City Council next meets on Wednesday, September 3, at 4 p.m. at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue).
UPDATE: This story originally reported the wrong date for the next regular meeting of the Ocala City Council.
