The BIRD Board recommends $30,000 be allocated from TIF funds to pilot a security program in the EBURD in cooperation with private property and business owners. The program would be piloted for 90 days during the remainder of FY2025 with the District contributing $30,000 toward private security measures and property owners and business owners that are already utilizing private security also participating. The goal is for the program to becoe independent with property and business contributions after the pilot program is complete.

The program would begin as a 3-month pilot starting as soon as funding is authorized. Sundown Security will provide patrol services, with detailed reports to assess security needs and effectiveness. Evening and nighttime patrols (critical hours based on crime patterns) will be conducted. Patrols will monitor business areas, parking lots, and alleyways, addressing trespassing, loitering, vandalism, and other incidents. Guards will provide a visible deterrent to crime and create a safer environment for business owners, employees, and customers. The guard presence will address legitimate safety incidents and contact law enforcement to address true criminal activity.

Present local crime data has emphasized the rise in vandalism, trespassing, theft, and public safety concerns affecting businesses in the EBURD. Safety concerns from current businesses and residents appears to be leading to less foot traffic, reduced business confidence, and slower development. Crime negatively affects business operations, drives away potential customers, and discourages investment in the EBURD. Creating a safer environment will increase economic activity and attract more businesses, residents, and visitors to the district.
 
According to data collection, the Montana Avenue Property Owners Group hired private security to help them in the same way along the Motana Avenue Corridor. Analysis of 6 months prior to security presence on Montana Avenue, 190 calls were made to law enforcement, 56% of those calls were considered preventable. During the first 6 months of security presence on Montana Avenue, 165 calls were made to law enforcement, and only 40% of those calls were considered preventable. The data showed that there was a 15% overall call decrease and a 3% trespass call decrease.

The EBURD will initially fund the program to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness. Already signed-up EBURD Sundown Security clients will receive security services and provide feedback. As the program moves ahead, further business outreach and recruitment will occur based on the program success. Meetings will be held with key stakeholders to explain the program, benefits, and options. Initial crime reduction reports and feedback from businesses that benefit from the program will be shared. The ultimate goal is to transition from EBURD funded security to member-funded services to ensure long-term sustainability. Overall, pooling resources enables businesses to access professional security services at a fraction of the cost of hiring individual guards or agencies

After 3 months, BIRD and Sundown will deliver a comprehensive report to the City Council, BIRD board, and participating members. The report will highlight the program's effectiveness, including crime reduction statistics and feedback from participants. This information will help determine a path forward for the program.

Private property owners, business owners and the public all would benefit from added security measures in the EBURD to encourage businesses to stay, bring in new businesses and have visitors to the District to feel safer in the area during the day, but more importantly at night. This pilot is a first step before the District considers a Business Improvement District or other means to support hiring a Police Officer or other security measures for the area if needed.

City Council may:

• Approve $30,000 be allocated from EBURD TIF funds to pilot a security program in the EBURD in cooperation with private property and business owners; or,
• Not Approve $30,000 be allocated from EBURD TIF funds to pilot a security program in the EBURD in cooperation with private property and business owners.

The FY 2025 EBURD Budget has adequate funds for this $30,000 allocation for this pilot safety program. If the program is successful and moves forward it should be privately supported and funded for the long term. If it does not work as intended, the program will be re-evaluated and additional funding and renewing the program will be discussed as part of the FY 2026 budget process in early 2025.