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The Downtown Security program is a cornerstone of downtown's success. The program is <br />already 50% underfunded from what is needed, but still provides an affordable full-time <br />protective force to downtown. Our decision to originally acquire the Spurgeon building <br />absolutely included the understanding of the city's focus in the downtown area's safety and <br />security and that is a significant reason why the more than 90 tenants in our building continue to <br />be comfortable arriving early or leaving later at night after normal business hours. <br />Security is vital as a service to businesses and for visitor perceptions as "Lack of safety" and <br />"Homelessness" remain two of the primary reasons people don't like to visit downtown <br />according to studies conducted by the City. <br />This year, downtown vandalism costs have tripled including over $40,000 in costs of vandalism <br />paid out by the City alone. This does not take into consideration the 10's of thousands spent by <br />the private community protecting their own assets during particularly heightened times of unrest. <br />Reducing our Downtown Security force will increase the burden on private and public vandalism <br />costs in 2021 and is not supported by the Downtown Police Officers. <br />Please consider covering this year's gap in downtown's self -funded critical services to keep our <br />engine running and supporting our downtown businesses. Overall, the total impact of your <br />decision here is another $100,000. Yet this is a critical cost -saving and protective investment <br />considering the alternatives of increased vandalism and decreased safety perceptions in <br />downtown. <br />Sincerely, <br />Scott Ostlund <br />The Spurgeon1913 <br />206 W, 4`" Street <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />