The City of Prince George’s standing committee on public safety is evaluating the effectiveness and cost of contracting private security services.
In a report going to the committee Nov. 19, Eric Depenau, director of administrative services, outlines the current use of external security services at city facilities and events. The report notes that contracted security services are viewed as essential, especially in high-traffic areas and at large events, and ongoing feedback from the committee and the community will be critical to ensuring the services continue to meet the city’s safety goals.
The city does not employ in-house security staff for its municipal operations, Depenau’s report states. Instead, the city relies on external contractors to provide security services for a variety of public spaces, including the Canfor Leisure Pool, the CN Centre and the Conference and Civic Centre. Other areas, such as parking lots and parkades, also require security services that are typically contracted out.
City staff say that managing such services internally would be challenging due to the specialized nature of the work and the difficulties of maintaining a consistent, experienced workforce. For example, at CN Centre, security services are provided during events and include not only physical security but also guest services and first aid.
However, the report acknowledges that staffing challenges, such as high employee turnover rates and the irregular nature of event scheduling, can sometimes impact the consistency of service delivery.
To address this, the city has implemented active contract management practices, including regular meetings with security service providers to ensure high standards are maintained, the report states.
In addition to evaluating security services, the city is exploring ways to enhance security in certain areas. One notable initiative is the planned modernization of parking facilities, which will include a review of security services based on user feedback. This review will be supported by a professional consulting report, expected to be delivered in April 2025.
The city is also considering the expansion of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to improve safety in downtown areas, with the committee recently recommending this initiative to council. A report on the potential expansion is expected to be presented to council before the end of 2024.
