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No Security Officers Present at Some Community Centers, Weapon Detection Failures Raise Concerns
A new audit released by the Orange County comptroller paints a troubling picture of security operations across county buildings and community centers. The investigation found significant deficiencies in staffing, training, and weapon screening, prompting fresh calls for immediate improvements.
The security services, currently handled under contract by Allied Universal, span a wide range of public facilities, including the county’s Administration building, courthouses, community centers, and the Regional History Center.
READ: Allied Universal Completes Six Strategic Acquisitions in 2024, Expands Global Reach
Key Findings: Weapon Screening and Absent Guards
The audit, covering operations between May 2022 and April 2023, revealed a 35% failure rate in security officers’ ability to detect weapons using x-ray machines and metal-detecting wands. These failures occurred during internal screening tests and included officers missing items like knives, tasers, and firearms.
Even more alarming, the audit found that at multiple community centers, including Holden Heights and Pine Hills, no security officers were present during scheduled hours, despite staffing being contractually required.
WESH 2 News visited the Holden Heights Community Center and confirmed no guards were on site—despite no amendments to the staffing contract since the audit period.
Training and Access Concerns
The comptroller also identified lapses in security training and communication regarding terminated employees, raising questions about whether former guards might still have unauthorized access to county facilities.
While some 2019 audit recommendations—like reducing excessive overtime—have been addressed, others remain unresolved, including improving officer preparedness and ensuring consistent onsite presence.
Millions Spent, But Oversight Lacking
Comptroller Phil Diamond emphasized the financial stakes involved, noting that Orange County taxpayers are not receiving full value from the nearly $9 million security contract.
“We’ve paid millions of dollars, and we’re not getting everything we should under this contract—and that needs to be fixed, and fixed as soon as possible,” said Diamond.
County Response and Future Plans
In response to the findings, Orange County Facilities Management noted that in Fiscal Year 2023-2025, security guards confiscated 320 weapons at the courthouses alone, including 176 knives, 90 tasers, and 19 firearms.
Still, county officials are now considering splitting the current contract into multiple vendor agreements to improve oversight and accountability.
The comptroller also acknowledged that Allied Universal has improved in some areas, including providing state licensing data and implementing better overtime controls.
What’s Next?
As the audit gains public attention, county leadership is expected to review contract modifications and possibly restructure vendor agreements before the current contract period ends. The goal: ensure consistent security coverage, enhance public safety, and restore taxpayer confidence.
