“This was a ‘consent’ item in 2024 [and] I don’t see a need for this level of expense…We have many other city meetings where there is no security presence, so …why are we spending this money?” Council member Yasmine Imani McMorrin spoke to Agenda Item A-5, that the city discuss the service agreement to post security guards at the entrance to City Hall for council meetings.
At the April 13, 2026 Culver City Council meeting, the last action item on the agenda was on the consideration of private security services employed by the city. The motion passed to reduce services by decreasing the number of guards, and let the current contract run out. There will be a new Request for Proposals at the end of the current contract.
The three year commitment from the city, which is in it’s second year, was set by the previous City Manger John Nachbar, during the height of community attendance at the council meetings to request a statement on support for a ceasefire in Gaza. The contract, for $1.8 million dollars, was passed on the Consent Calendar. Guards were put in place in August of 2024.
The only speaker at the podium – it was after midnight by the time the council reached this part of the agenda – was Latrice Prudent, who noted that she had ‘tested’ the security services from a professional perspective. “What the city is paying for is not being upheld…and that’s the nicest way I can put it.” As the owner of a locally based security firm, Prudent reminded the council that businesses who pay their taxes here should be prioritized to be considered for these types of contracts.
Good Guard Security, which has offices in California, Arizona and Texas, provides services for City Hall (for council meetings) as well as parking garages, the Kirk Douglas Theater, the Senior Center, the Vets Building, the CC Transportation Department and Fiesta La Ballona.
The Culver City Police Department recommended reducing the number of guards from four to three, to have one CCPD officer present at each council meeting.
Council voted in favor of the recommendations by the city staff, by a vote of four to one.
Judith Martin-Straw
