In 2003, Councilmembers Wendy Gruel and Jack Weiss introduced a proposal to create the Office of Public Safety by merging the City’s security services into one centralized division of the Department of General Services (Council File 03-2062). At the time, several non-proprietary departments, including the Library, Zoo, Recreation and Parks, El Pueblo, the Convention Center, and General Services each had independent security sections.

Now in 2006, the City has realized efficiencies by combining security functions; through standardized training, increased accountability, improved response times, and service coordination with the LAPD.