County Panel Backs Audit of Bus Security; Sheriff Cites Lack of Public Accountability

By STEVE SCHULTZE

Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. on Thursday blasted the private security firm hired to guard local buses, questioning whether the $1.1 million annual cost was worth it.

Wackenhut Corp., an international company headquartered in Florida, has provided security for Milwaukee County Transit System buses since 1993. Clarke said in a letter to the County Board that the company had “top-heavy administration that leads to fewer people actually performing a security function.”

He called for a county audit of the firm’s contract with the bus system, a move readily agreed to Thursday on a 6-0 vote by the board’s Finance and Audit Committee.

Although Clarke is generally a proponent of privatization to help lower costs of government services, he faulted the company for a lack of public accountability. Clarke said Wackenhut had refused to provide detailed information about its bus security operations to his department. He also said Wackenhut guards spent too little time riding buses.

“If you are going to deal with disorder on the buses, you’ve got to ride the buses,” he said.

Mark Schaefer, general manager of Wackenhut’s Milwaukee operation, declined to comment on Clarke’s criticisms.

Of Wackenhut’s 32 employees working locally on bus security, four are managers, transit system spokeswoman Jackie Janz said.

The firm won the bus security contract in 1993 over other firms that bid, Janz said. The contract was re-bid in 1998 and 2003, she said.

Anita Gulotta-Connelly, managing director of the bus system, praised Wackenhut, saying the firm last year responded to more than 3,200 security complaints.

“We are very pleased with the level of security they have been able to provide,” she said.

Complaints from riders

Clarke said he’s received many complaints from riders and bus drivers about rowdiness, harassment of riders and occasional assaults on buses or at bus stops.

Clarke assigned deputies from his tactical unit to help with bus security starting in 2006. He credited the move with improvements, but said he couldn’t back off the deputy coverage without worrying about a surge in problems. He said Wackenhut security guards often simply release troublemakers rather than turn them over to local law enforcement.

Clarke said he did not seek the audit because he wanted the Sheriff’s Department to assume Wackenhut’s duties and contract revenue.

However, Clarke said: “I wouldn’t mind doing it with the proper resources.” He said $1 million would only pay for about 15 deputies, far too few for the job.

The finance committee Thursday also voted to delay action on Clarke’s request to spend $420,000 to buy 14 new squad cars and SUVs to replace vehicles driven more than 100,000 miles. Because the finance panel won’t meet again until mid-March, the delay could jeopardize replacement of several high-mileage vehicles for another full year, sheriff’s Inspector Kevin Carr said. That’s because the department makes its vehicle purchases through a state program that places new car orders just once a year, in March, he said.

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