The Malibu City Council is considering a plan to place private, armed security at the city’s four school campuses: Malibu Elementary, Webster Elementary, Malibu Middle and Malibu High. That consideration comes in the wake of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas that claimed 21 lives.
The city council called an emergency meeting to create a Request for Proposal (RFP) on Monday, June 27. That meeting revealed some reservations among the public and district staff, as well as questions about funding.
Mayor Paul Grisanti and Councilmember Karen Farrer recently met with officials from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. Jennifer Seetoo to discuss school safety options. At Monday’s meeting, Ferrer explained that Seetoo recommended hiring a private security firm. It would be less costly, said Seetoo. She also said LASD is experiencing a shortage of personnel.
The plan would initially be funded by the city. However, Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein said the city council “should demand that the School District fund this — demand it, not just request them and take their answer” and “consider legal action to require it” if necessary.
The council will meet again on July 11. Read more at the Malibu Times.