Security contract extended at Crystal Cove

Paul Clinton

CRYSTAL COVE -- State parks officials managing the vacant, historic

cottages at the state park have extended a contract with a security firm

to continue a 24-hour watch.

California State Parks extended a one-year deal with B.R. South Coast

Private Security Services Inc. for two more months, until a new contract

can be worked out with a new firm.

The company has been supplying security personnel with badges and guns

to monitor the 46 cottages for potential vandals, curious teenagers and

anyone with bad intentions toward the historic landmark.

Officials scrambled to extend the deal for two months, after the

previous contract expired Sunday.

State parks officials paid the firm $90,000 for the year after the

eviction of the former residents on July 8, 2001.

During the two-month extension term, state officials will put out to

bid a new one-year contract for the cottages, Orange Coast District

Superintendent Mike Tope said.

“We extended it, while we’re out to bid,” Tope said. “The cottages are

going to be taken care of.”

In addition to hiring the firm a year ago, the state also began a

comprehensive interim plan to protect the cottages until a new plan for

their future can be developed. State officials are expected to release

that in September.

State officials installed security lighting, motion sensors and other

equipment to help monitor the cottages.