City Council approves contract for security services for City Hall, transit center

Published 2:48 pm Tuesday, January 27, 2026

The Lake Charles City Council approved a six-month contract Wednesday to hire professional security services for City Hall and the Lake Charles Transit Center. The vote had previously been deferred.

At a meeting on Jan. 7, the council voted 5–2 to delay action on a proposed six‑month agreement with Allied Universal, opting to defer the decision for two weeks as some members requested additional information about the firm’s qualifications.

The six-month contract is for two Allied post-certified officers who are trained in the rules of engagement and authorized to use force if necessary. The cost is approximately $500,000 for the contract duration.

The city’s plan to upgrade security at City Hall and the Transit Center is motivated by a need maintain a safe environment for employees and for residents accessing city services.

Several recent incidents have highlighted the need for enhanced security, including a First Amendment Auditor filming inside City Hall, assaults on Transit Center staff aimed at reaching bus fare collection points, and property damage at the Water Division after an angry customer kicked a hole in a wall, the American Press reported earlier this month.

City officials initially explored adding personnel from the Marshal’s Office or the Lake Charles Police Department, but staffing shortages and overtime costs made that approach unworkable. As a result, the administration began evaluating private security firms, ultimately identifying Allied Universal Security Services as a highly recommended option.

Lake Charles Mayor Marshall Simien said the city is currently developing an action plan to address security shortages through the Lake Charles Police Department, but needs Allied in the meantime.

“We need some sort of security presence while we work through those issues,” he said. “This is just a stopgap.”

Council President Craig Marks, District F, expressed his opposition, stating his worry about liabilities.

“I have the firm belief that the police department is supposed to protect our cities,” he said. “I just feel that we should come up with a plan or some kind of way to make that happen before we go out and put ourselves in a position where we could potentially be sued.”

Marks voted in opposition. Council Vice President Ronnie Harvey, Jr., District A, abstained.

The council also unanimously voted to amend the budget and allow the Ward Three Marshal’s Office to hire one new deputy marshal.