Malibu Continues Crackdown on Illegal Parking

What started as a temporary program aimed at cracking down on illegal beach parking over the summer has turned into a revenue stream for the city of Malibu.

In June, the Malibu City Council approved a six month trial period with Calabasas-based Secural Security at a cost of $5,500 a month for 40 hours of services a week, totaling $33,000, according to Malibu Assistant City Manager Reva Feldman.

The program brought in $33,693 in profit to the city over five months of the trial period, according to a city staff report. The contract with Secural expires on Dec. 31.

"I think this has been a great outcome," Feldman said in a presentation to the Malibu City Council on Monday, Dec. 10.

The increased enforcement over the summer raised eyebrows by some Malibu residents. In a letter to the editor, one resident called a ticketing blitz over the Fourth of July weekend "over the top."

Councilman Laura Zahn Rosenthal said she understood why some residents were surprised by the increased enforcement, especially in areas where illegal parking had become the norm.

"I think it has made a nicer and safer community," Rosenthal said.

Last week, the Malibu City Council asked city staff to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a long-term parking enforcement services and to extend the contract with Secural during the RFP process. That contract may include fewer hours during the winter months.

"I like the idea that the sheriff is out doing sheriff work instead of out writing tickets," Mayor Lou La Monte said.

The citaitons issued by Secural, which are in addition to citations issued by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, peaked over the summer.

The city of Calabasas, which also uses Secural, gets more services for a lower price. A representative from Secural said it was because Calabasas has a long term contract and bundled in more services.

Here is a breakdown of the number of citations issued and the net amount received by the city of Malibu: