Board approves $38.3 million SFMTA security contract after debate on armed guards and procurement process

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a $38,300,000 contract with Cyprus Security to provide armed and unarmed security services for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), after a lengthy April 21 discussion about the use of weapons, training and the procurement process.

Supporters said armed guards are a necessary deterrent for SFMTA employees who collect cash and work late-night shifts. Opponents warned that adding firearms to public spaces increases risks and said the procurement raised troubling optics. The final roll-call was 7 ayes and 4 noes, with supervisors Campos, Cohen, Kim and Avalos dissenting.

The vote followed several days of questions and a memo from SFMTA that supervisors said clarified training received by the armed guards and other contract details. Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin told the board staff had surveyed comparable transit systems and found armed guards to be an industry standard for protecting employees who handle revenue. "Every one of them, without exception, had as a standard practice…