Pasadena Eyes Increased Security for Major Events

On Monday, the Pasadena City Council will consider enhancing security for major events in the city. The Council is scheduled to vote on an $800,000 increase to an existing contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The amendment would raise the current five-year agreement’s total cost to $3.8 million.

If approved, the measure would amend Contract 32050, and allow for additional law enforcement personnel at large gatherings in Pasadena for events other than New Year’s activities. These may include international soccer matches, music concerts, and festivals.

The proposed amendment would increase the contract limit to $1 million per fiscal year for the final two years of the five-year agreement. This expansion aims to ensure adequate law enforcement coverage for major events throughout the year.

Services provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department would include crowd control, traffic management, explosive canine units, and other support as needed. Staffing levels and personnel classifications will be determined and mutually agreed upon in writing before each event.

The contract modification would be exempt from competitive bidding and California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, as it involves agreements with other governmental entities.

In a City memorandum, officials said that costs for these services will be charged against the budgets for the respective special events in the General Fund Billables Fund 105, with all costs fully recovered from event promoters. The contract allows flexibility, with no payment required for postponed or canceled events.