Salinas adding more security guards throughout the city

The City of Salinas has had a shortage of police officers for a long time. But now, the city has a plan to keep residents and tourists safe.

It’s impossible to have a police officer everywhere they may be needed in Monterey County. That’s why the City of Salinas has proposed the use of more security guards.

“We have a need for private security, we’ve been using them for a very long time. Especially at the airport, at our golf courses, and amongst our libraries and train stations,” said Salinas Assistant Public Works Director, Don Reynolds.

The city is looking to hire several security firms at an affordable rate so that they, along with businesses and other organizations in Monterey County, can hire trained guards at the same rate negotiated by the city.

“So this is an effort to capture the newest and latest, greatest technology and services and bring it under one umbrella, so that all of our different facilities would h ave access to security services should the need come up, whether it be on a regular basis or special events,” said Reynolds.

The Salinas City Center, still known by many as Old Town Salinas, is one area that would really benefit from added security.

“We’re trying to improve the vibrancy of downtown. We want it to be safe and attractive for visitors, for customers, for employees,” said Salinas City Center Improvement Association District Manager, Kenneth Steen.

Business owners like Jeff Lamb agree. He thinks security guards are a great addition to the city at a time when there’s just not enough officers to go around.

“The relationship that I’ve witnessed between Salinas Police and the downtown security guys here is great. It’s the kind of relationship you want. They make a call, they get a quick response to that call,” said Local Business Owner, Jeff Lamb.

And it’s that relationship that played a part in the decision to bring in more security.

“It’s much easier to bring on a private contractor in this case until we can rebuild our police force and get the adequate safety that we need,” said Reynolds.

Some business owners like the plan…to keep customers coming in the door.

“I definitely think it will help. Anything we can to do make people feel more comfortable about coming downtown and walking through town, and I think throughout the city as well,” said Lamb.

The City of Salinas will negotiate with several security contractors through the first week of August. They’ll then finalize its decision and plan to have more security guards around the city by early September.