County reviews Prosegur security plan for courthouse complex and Metro parking; PBA approves its share

Oklahoma County officials discussed a proposed one‑year contract with security firm Prosegur to provide exterior patrols and video monitoring at the county courthouse complex and Metro parking and debated whether the company can safely and effectively handle the homeless population that frequently uses the downtown area during overnight hours.

The discussion matters because the county is replacing Goodwill’s existing parking‑garage security after service lapses and a significant rate increase; the proposed contract totals $322,841, split 30% to be paid by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and 70% by the Public Billing Authority (PBA). The BOCC deferred a final decision to the next meeting for further questions; the PBA voted to adopt the PBA portion of the agreement and recommended approval.

Staff member Keith told the panel that the county began searching for alternatives after Goodwill, the current contractor, experienced no‑shows and performance problems and notified the county it would not renew the contract. “They've given us a plan to improve the security in metro parking and also provide security for the county complex,” Keith said, adding the full contract is $322,841 with the BOCC’s 30% share amounting to $96,852 and the PBA’s 70% share $225,989.

Under the proposal from Prosegur, video monitoring would run Monday–Friday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with patrol coverage on the Metro garages and the exterior of the county complex. Keith also said the county could split personnel costs between the BOCC and the PBA and that the contract could begin as early as July 1 if implemented.

Several commissioners and staff pressed for details on training and response protocols for encounters with people experiencing homelessness. “How for sure are we that this company can deal with the homeless population?” one commissioner asked. Keith said county staff performed site visits to locations where Prosegur already provides similar services and that Prosegur reported working with local homeless outreach teams and law enforcement.

Alexander Edwards, a Prosegur representative who later appeared in the meeting, said the company includes de‑escalation and orientation training for officers and recruits staff who understand how to interact humanely with members of the public. “We… train our officers in de‑escalation. It's part of their orientation,” Edwards said. He added that Prosegur’s post orders instruct officers to retreat and call Oklahoma County staff or law enforcement when incidents escalate.

The county clarified that all unarmed security staff proposed for the contract would hold CLEET certification. The contract term discussed is one year with a 30‑day out clause, which commissioners said gives the county an opportunity to terminate if the service fails to meet expectations.

Discussion also covered monitoring logistics: the company proposed options for the monitoring location, including reconfiguring Metro offices, using the guard shack, or remote monitoring from an existing Prosegur facility. Keith said the county does not currently have staff watching video in real time and that Prosegur’s proposal would add that capability.

Following questions and expressed reservations about whether unarmed, CLEET‑certified officers could adequately handle confrontations, a motion to defer consideration until the next infrastructure meeting passed. Separately, at a Public Billing Authority meeting later the same day, PBA members moved to adopt the PBA portion of the Prosegur contract (70% share) and the motion passed.

Next steps include a return appearance by Prosegur to answer detailed operational questions and allow commissioners to hear the company’s guarantees and site‑specific plans. The proposed contract includes the stated 30‑day termination option and the split of costs between the BOCC and PBA; the BOCC’s final vote was deferred.