DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona Beach leaders are expected to vote Wednesday on whether to extend unarmed security patrols in some of the city’s most visited corridors, including Main Street and Beach Street.
The proposal, listed as Item 8Q on the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) agenda, would approve a third amendment to the city’s contract with First Coast Security Services, Inc. The amendment would increase the contract from $125,000 to $134,000 to continue uniformed, unarmed security patrols in the downtown CRA district.
The security guards have been deployed for months throughout parts of the city, including Main Street, Beach Street, and the Riverfront Esplanade. While they are not law enforcement officers, they work alongside Daytona Beach police to deter crime, report issues, and engage with the community in an effort to improve safety and comfort for visitors, residents, and businesses.
Many residents say the patrols are making a positive impact.
“I think that the city is revitalizing, and I love to see that they’re putting more security in place because it’s a great town and this is a great area,” resident Holly Groseth said. “People want to come and enjoy downtown Daytona Beach and Beach Street and hang out with their family and feel safe.”
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Local businesses, including the Kale Café on Beach Street, say the increased security presence has helped boost confidence among customers.
“The more presence of security, we’ve seen a change,” said Kale Café co-owner Omar Brown. “I was actually on a pilot meeting to get the security officers down here, and that worked out really well. So I’m in agreement with getting more foot traffic and more security.”
City officials say the goal of the extension is to enhance walkability, increase family-friendly activity, and support economic development in the CRA by making residents and visitors feel safer.
If approved, the additional funding would allow the security patrols to continue without interruption.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Daytona Beach City Hall.