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The parks and facilities director cited management turnover and poor performance by the current provider, then split off Governmental Center security for further review.
TRAVERSE CITY- Grand Traverse County commissioners awarded a three-year security contract for the Hall of Justice and the historic courthouse to Allied Universal.
The change came at the request of Parks and Facilities Director John Chase, who told the board that recent problems with the county’s current provider, STT Security, prompted him to ask commissioners to set aside the packet recommendation and select a different company.
Chase said the existing provider had turned over its on-site management twice in the past 12 months and was operating under a third temporary manager, and that staff performance had been substandard.
Chase said County Administrator Nate Alger had raised the possibility of a 90-day extension with the current provider while the county sorted out next steps, but that staff were reluctant to go that route.
After further discussion, Chase said, a fresh start with a new provider and a new set of expectations seemed like the better option.
Three companies submitted bids on time, according to figures Chase presented. Chase recommended Allied Universal, describing it as a national company with significant scale, court experience in Michigan, and an established training program.
After debate over whether to pay security officers during their lunch breaks, commissioners moved to hire Allied Universal with a paid lunch, citing staff safety at the courthouses. The motion passed by roll call and is subject to legal review before the board chair signs it. Chase said Allied Universal was confident it could complete a changeover by July 1.
Commissioner Scott Sieffert, who said he has 15 years of experience in uniformed security, pressed broader concerns about whether the county’s setup actually keeps people safe. He argued that current officers are not equipped for a worst-case scenario.
“We have no tools, no training to deal with somebody that comes in with a firearm,” Sieffert said.
He was blunt about what he saw as the limits of the existing arrangement.
“We’re essentially paying $80,000 a year for them to get shot first,” Sieffert said. “That’s unacceptable to me.”
Sieffert pointed to a past incident in which a man brought a gun into the register of deeds. On-site security did not know how to respond, and the county ended up calling bailiffs who were serving as corrections officers that day.
He also said the county’s broader policies need work, noting that the county’s weapons policy “doesn’t reflect state law.”
Citing those concerns, the board separated security for the Governmental Center, where costs are shared with the City of Traverse City, from the courthouse contract. Commissioners directed the matter to the county safety committee for evaluation and asked for a recommendation back by the board’s first meeting in August.
