Committee backs 5‑year, $2.575 million downtown security contract with City Guard Inc.
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Summary
The Oxnard committee unanimously recommended the City Council approve a five‑year contract with City Guard Inc. for downtown security services not to exceed $2,575,000, with staff and police outlining uniform, reporting and coordination requirements.
The Community Services, Public Safety, Housing and Development Committee on Jan. 27 recommended that the City Council authorize a five‑year agreement with City Guard Inc. to provide unarmed security for Oxnard’s Downtown Management District, the Oxnard Public Library, the downtown parking structure and the Oxnard service center for a not‑to‑exceed total of $2,575,000.
Committee members said they supported the contract after hearing the Police Department outline supervision, reporting and coordination measures designed to protect public safety and the city’s liability. Commander Serrato said the selected company “has a security uniform that looks like a security guard with a badge and patches” and confirmed the guards will work unmasked, saying, “They will be unmasked just like our police officers are at Oxnard PD.”
Resident Angela Wycombe and other speakers urged stronger downtown presence and praised the plan to provide 24‑hour coverage for the parking structure. Wycombe said the security force should be “ambassadors for the Downtown District” and urged that guards present professionally while engaging positively with businesses and visitors.
Committee members asked about several operational details, including whether guards would use the city’s 3‑1‑1 reporting app and whether supervisors would maintain daily logs. Serrato said the vendor will be trained to use the 3‑1‑1 app, will provide daily logs and will coordinate with on‑duty patrol officers; he said any uniform or conduct issues would be “immediately addressed.”
Council members also discussed whether additional equipment such as body‑worn cameras should be considered for future security staff; one council member suggested that cameras could help provide objective documentation to the police. The committee did not add a camera requirement to the recommendation but asked staff to ensure clear uniform and reporting standards in the contract exhibits.
A motion to move the recommendation to the council passed on a 3–0 vote. The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the full City Council for final approval and execution.