By Jorge Casuso
August 8, 2025 -- For at least two weeks in May, Santa Monica Airport was without a critical security system that monitors and controls access to the airfield, according to a staff report to the City Council.
The security breach took place on May 5, when the City's contracted vendor overseeing the Airport's Security Access Control System (SACS) "ceased operations without notice" after unexpectedly closing its business.
Airport staff was not notified by the contracted vendor until May 14, leaving the pedestrian airfield access point the vendor was repairing "exposed and creating an urgent safety concern," according to the Airport Division's report to the Council.
"Any disruption of this system undermines the safeguards governing airfield access, potentially allowing unauthorized personnel or vehicles into restricted airfield zones," staff wrote.
"Such breaches present immediate threats to operational security, public safety, and infrastructure, and significantly increase the City’s liability exposure.
"It is imperative that the SACS always remains fully functional to uphold regulatory compliance and minimize risk," staff wrote.
After "recognizing the immediate need to secure the access point," staff obtained a list of approved vendors from a security system platform provider.
On May 20, after conducting vendor research, Airport staff identified Premier Security Services, Inc. "as a vendor with experience in repairing and maintaining a similar security system."
On May 20, staff notified the City's Procurement Division and requested emergency approval to hire Premier Security Services, Inc. "to complete the emergency repair work and perform temporary six-months maintenance of the airport’s SACS."
On Tuesday, the City Council is expected to authorize the emergency purchase, for a total amount not to exceed $50,000 which was made as an exception to the competitive bidding process.
The staff report does not provide the name of the vendor or address why it took two weeks to learn the vendor had ceased work. City officials could not be reached by deadline.
