City Council approves phased Civic Center security upgrades after debate over costs, access

The Los Angeles City Council on Oct. 23 approved a phased plan to upgrade security at City Hall and the Civic Center, backing a joint Information Technology and General Services (ITGS) committee report that combines new technology and personnel measures. Councilmember Ridley-Thomas moved the report; it passed as amended, 9 ayes, 4 noes.

Councilmember Ridley-Thomas said the project should be viewed as incremental: "this is yet, but another phase... to make sure that the personnel that is to be put in place, as well as, the range of things that need to be done to make sure that there's a security in this building is what it ought to be." The council debate followed weeks of committee work and public safety concerns raised after recent national events.

Why it matters: Councilmembers split over the pace, scope and price of upgrades for a cluster of municipal buildings that the meeting’s proponents described as central to city operations. Supporters said investments would protect emergency operations and city services; opponents warned the upgrades could divert scarce funds from other public-safety priorities citywide.

Most important facts: The General Services Department presented two distinct reports: a comprehensive package that integrates physical security with new technology, and a second version that focuses only on physical resources and additional security officers. John Muckry, Department of General Services, summarized the difference: "There are 2 reports... 1 is a package that integrates physical resources with technology resources, and the other 1 takes out the technology and just deals with the physical resources, the number of security officers." The approved motion keeps the integrated approach but adds an implementation check required by council amendment.

What the plan would do: Presenters described technical components planned for a command center known as P-190 (below City Hall East), including fire-alarm integration, remote alarms and camera coverage of strategic locations and parking. The council was told cameras and alarm feeds would complement — not replace — on-site personnel. The consultant named in the hearing was Engineered Automated Systems Incorporated (EASI). Councilmembers and staff said some design work for electronics (phase 1) is already complete for portions of the building.

Concerns raised: Several members pressed officials on cost, recurring personnel expenses and the risk that concentrating resources downtown could leave other municipal facilities less protected. Councilmember Pacheco asked, "What's really at hand here is what are we going to tell the general public when we run out of money?" and warned that funding the Civic Center work should not preclude equipment for citywide emergency response such as hazmat suits or bomb-sniffing dogs.

Amendment and oversight: Councilmember Misakowski (Miskowski) offered an amendment, seconded by Councilmember Holden, requiring that the detailed execution plan — including locations of access controls, card readers and any nonpublic access points — be returned to committee and council for review before those elements are implemented. The amendment was accepted by the motion maker and incorporated into the item before the final vote. Council staff also said the plan will continue to coordinate with the Los Angeles Police Department and Fire Department to preserve fire-life safety and operational continuity.

Vote and next steps: The ITGS report as amended passed 9–4. Council documents and speakers indicated recurring personnel costs will be material — staff testimony estimated personnel could account for roughly 40–50% of ongoing costs — and that final hardware installation and any broad deployment of cameras will require additional council review and appropriations. Staff said P-190 will be used as the command-and-control node and that some phase-1 electronics design work has already been completed for a subset of floors. The council asked departments to return with implementation schedules, cost estimates and oversight plans prior to final installations.

Additional context: Supporters compared the Civic Center to the city’s operational "nerve center," saying protecting coordination capacity is essential in a crisis. Opponents urged a citywide review so other municipal facilities — from neighborhood field offices to regional City Halls — would not be left without comparable attention.

Sources and attribution: Quotes and attributions are taken from City Council remarks recorded on Oct. 23, 2001, including Councilmember Ridley-Thomas, Councilmember Pacheco, John Muckry (Department of General Services) and other council members who spoke during item 39.