Block by Block security ambassadors will be replaced by new unarmed ambassadors employed by Allied Universal. (photo by Jon Viscott)

The West Hollywood City Council unanimously approved an agreement on Aug. 18 with a new security ambassador service, ending the city’s partnership with Block by Block.

A 20-month, nearly $10.1 million agreement with Allied Universal Security Services was approved to take the place of Block by Block, which has provided security ambassadors to the city since 2013. Security ambassadors conduct unarmed security patrols by foot and bicycle, assist with special events and are stationed at kiosks throughout the city. Ambassadors also provide specialized de-escalation services to unhoused community members and can administer Narcan to people experiencing overdoses.

City staff chose Allied Universal following a request for proposal process, in which 35 responses were received. Allied Universal was selected because its proposal more closely aligned with the city’s needs, said director of community safety Danny Rivas. Allied Universal has previously provided unarmed security guard services to many government agencies, including the city and county of Los Angeles, but Rivas did not expand on how their proposal better serves West Hollywood.

“After completing interviews and an extensive selection process, Allied Universal Security Services was selected as the preferred contractor based on their strong qualifications and extensive experience providing similar service to cities and counties across California,” public safety manager Anita Shandi said.

Rivas added that he hopes there will be a seamless transition from the services offered by Block by Block to Allied Universal.

“Allied Universal will maintain the same role and level of services that Block by Block is currently providing to the West Hollywood community,” he said. “A series of town hall meetings with the community (currently in planning stages) and monthly Public Safety Commission meetings will provide an opportunity for Allied Universal to be introduced to the community and interact with residents and businesses.”

Community members raised concerns during public comment that the vendor change would bring a more intimidating security appearance to the city, in place of Block by Block ambassadors – many of whom have become trusted community members.

“Block by Block feels more community, feels easier to approach them, feels less of an issue,” resident James Croak said. “I see people who are needing assistance or who are having issues being approached by Block by Block and I feel like it’s much less threatening than people who are in more of a recognized security force accoutrement like Securitas and Allied, who I see as more of a stopgap to the police.”

However, Rivas reaffirmed that the services of Allied Universal would replicate what is currently being provided by Block by Block, although uniform color will likely change. Additionally, Allied Universal will offer current Block by Block ambassadors a fast-tracked recruitment process to continue their work in West Hollywood, said Allied Universal Security Services government specialist for the southwest region Tad Garabedian, after Councilman John Erickson expressed concern with laying off numerous ambassadors.

During an Aug. 25 Public Safety Commission meeting, former Allied Universal employee Emmanuel Ares spoke about his experience working for the company. Ares said that during his time with Allied Universal, employees were often overworked, experienced pay delays and did not have adequate sensitivity training. As a result, he said turnover within the company was high.

“I’m just hoping there is something we can do as a community, whether it’s creating a task force, subcommittee – anything that can be able to report out on how everyone is doing, maybe even an introduction meeting where we’ll be able to meet the new ambassadors to see what would be different from Block by Block,” Ares said.

Representatives from Allied Universal declined to comment on the organization’s services and employee experiences. Additionally, Shandi said there was no update regarding the amount of Block by Block staff who will be retained and the number will depend on how many employees apply to Allied Universal.

During the meeting, city staff sought feedback from the commissioners on proposed uniforms for the new ambassadors.

Commissioner George Nickle said that a change to lime green uniforms would make the ambassadors more visible to the community. He also called for more community meetings to educate the public and asked staff how many new officers will have a background in law enforcement. Shandi responded by saying there are currently five senior safety officers and the city hopes to retain the same level of staffing during the transition.

Commissioner Tod Hallman also called for a uniform change, saying he supported the lime green or yellow and black uniforms.

“You want something that’s going to stand out when people are seeking services, when they may be panicked, or frantic or hurried. These two colors definitely stand out and are more visible,” he said.

Rivas added that the current phone number for Block by Block emergency intake, (833)WEHO-BBB, will be forwarded to the new number for Allied Universal for one year while the city works to inform the public of the new phone number, which has not yet been announced.

The agreement with Allied Universal will take effect Oct. 1 and last until June 2027. Representatives from Block by Block did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

Separately, the city of West Hollywood approved an agreement on Aug. 18 with Securitas Security Services to provide the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station unarmed community safety officers to respond to non-emergency 911 calls in the city. The two agreements are separate and services do not intersect, Shandi said.