The LADWP is seeking private security for Janisse Quiñones, the CEO and chief engineer of the department. Brittany Hope reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on March 11, 2025.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's Board of Commissioners postponed a vote Tuesday on a more than $700,000 contract for private security for Janisse Quiñones, the CEO and chief engineer of the department.
Quiñones has been under public pressure in the wake of the deadly Palisades Fire.
The LADWP says Quiñones has been getting security from local law enforcement since the Palisades Fire ignited, but she can’t keep getting that protection due to a lack of personnel.
The department is arguing that the security is needed, so it wants to contract out private security.
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The matter will be placed on a future meeting agenda after it was deferred at Tuesday's meeting.
In a board letter about this topic, LADWP officials wrote, “Since the wildfires began, LADWP has received numerous threats to the CEO chief engineer’s personal safety, some of which have required direct intervention by law enforcement personnel."
Documents obtained by NBC4 reveal that this would give Quiñones security services for one year through the Pinkerton consulting and investigations executive protection firm.
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The price tag would be just over $703,000. LADWP did get proposals from two other companies to compare prices and their contracts came up to over $930,000, and over $1.3 million.
Quiñones was confirmed by the city council and mayor as the head of DWP in May 2024.
Funding for Quiñones' salary comes directly from the departments' revenues and does not impact the city's general fund.
Quiñones previously served as a senior executive for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. She was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, and currently serves as an active reserve officer. The DWP CEO held key leadership roles at Cobra Energy, including vice president of operations, and was responsible for the restoration of electrical systems in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.
