Security along the Waterfront

Dec 1, 2000 12:00 PM, Jeanne Bonner

The Embarcadero Center is a mixed use retail/entertainment complex in San Francisco's Waterfront district. Ron Parenti, a 31-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), was recently promoted to assistant director of safety and security at the Embarcadero Center. Access Control & Security Systems Integration questioned Mr. Parenti about security issues at the center.

Q. How much space are you responsible for? How many tenants are there?

A. The Embarcadero Center spans six blocks, including five office towers and the landmark Old Federal Reserve Bank building, a nine-story structure housing a single tenant, a law firm. Notable retailers include Liz Claiborne, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor. The center has 125 shops and restaurants, one five-screen movie theater, and 3.41 million square feet of office space. Additionally, there are 200,000 square feet of landscaped public area. The workday office tower population is approximately 14,000 people. The center also includes Justin Herman Plaza, a city-owned, public plaza, located at the rear of Embarcadero, at the foot of Market Street.

Q. How large is the security force at the Embarcadero?

A. Our security force is about 64 security officers, supplemented by three off-duty or retired law enforcement personnel each day. The San Francisco Police Department, FBI and other local agencies provide the latter portion of this work pool. The private security staff are assigned to specific areas of responsibility and are present 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The supplemental staff of off-duty or retired officers work in plain clothes patrolling the complex. There is also one uniformed San Francisco Police Officer contracted through the city.

Q. What is the biggest challenge of providing security for such a large complex?

A. My challenges are recruiting, off-hour building access and managing the events of Justin Herman Plaza - a large plaza that is the scene for noontime and evening events permitted by the city's recreation and park department. This area has been the venue for events such as the Black and White Ball, a fundraiser for the San Francisco symphony and the Opera, and San Francisco's annual New Year's Eve celebration. Managing the events at Justin Herman Plaza offers unique challenges because of their diversity and the effect they have on tenants and visitors. Regulating off-hour access to the center is also a challenge. We like to control who comes and goes. The buildings shut down at 6 p.m., but some tenants need access after-hours. Each tenant uses the TouchCom system which allows access to the elevators, but only permits an employee to go to the floor he works on. Each building has a security console, and we keep a guest list there. The console is staffed by our security people, and everyone has to check in at the console.

Q. You were on the San Francisco Police Force for 31 years. What specific policing skills assist you in your new job?

A. My last assignment with the SFPD was as special events coordinator, and as a result I spent a lot of time at the Justin Herman Plaza. It is the site for many civic events, and I took care of American and foreign dignitaries when they came to town. I worked with the Secret Service when the President came to town. So my last position as events coordinator was probably what prepared me best for this job. It was a nice gig, and I met a lot of people.

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© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

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