Peralta Safety Services Update - January 6, 2021

Peralta Community,

We want to update you on the progress we are making on new safety and security services at Peralta Community College District campuses and offices.  

The District contract with Alameda County Sheriff’s Office ended Dec. 31, 2020, and we are pleased to report a smooth transition of safety services on New Year's Eve, from the sheriffs to the District’s safety service providers.  

The Peralta Safety Services plan includes four security services providers plus Merritt College Safety Aides (paid students enrolled in the Administration of Justice program) and faculty counselors employed by PCCD. Two vendors, Marina Security Services (Marina) and A1 Protective Services (A1) have been on-boarded and are providing safety services now.  The District is continuing to work with Community Ready Corps (CRC) and Zulu Protective Services (Zulu) to meet the District’s requirements and prepare them for the onboarding process.  A1 and Marina were on site over the holiday break and continue to provide safety services.  

Marina is operating the District switchboard and patrolling at the District offices 24/7. Both Marina and A1 are covering all security needs at Alameda, Laney, and Merritt Colleges, while A1 provides security at the Berkeley City College campus.   

In the next few weeks, Acting Vice Chancellor of General Services Atheria Smith will visit participatory governance, campus-based standing meetings, and other committee meetings to provide additional updates, answer questions, and continue the participatory governance processes of improving the District’s re-imagined safety plans and program. If you have any specific questions you would like AVC Smith to address while meeting with your campus, please reply to this message and I will compile the questions for AVC Smith to address.  

Lastly, concerns have been raised about qualifications for two of the vendors, Community Ready Corps and Zulu Protective Services, which have won preliminary contracts with the district to provide safety patrols.  We are evaluating concerns and issues raised about these two providers and have hired a respected security consultant, Knowledge Saves Lives to review their qualifications, experience, regulatory compliance, structure, and make a recommendation to the District.   

If you need safety and security service, please call the Peralta Safety Services switchboard at 510-466-7236. It is the same number as Peralta Police and rings to the District dispatch office now staffed by Marina Security Services.  

We will continue to provide updates on the District’s safety pilot program.   

Thank you and be safe,  

Mark Johnson

Executive Director

Department of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations

Peralta Community College District