Deputy Mayor Philip Banks’ former company, Overwatch Services, has been approved by the Adams administration for no-bid security contracts at migrant shelters. Michael Garner, the city’s chief diversity officer, is involved in the MWBE program that oversees these contracts. Banks has been involved in past controversies and his ownership timeline of Overwatch raises questions. The administration’s efforts to increase MWBE participation in city contracts, particularly for security services, have come under scrutiny. Lobbying efforts by firms like Nature’s Finest Security indicate a push to secure these contracts through the MWBE program. DCAS oversight and the involvement of key officials in these processes have raised concerns.
In recent news, Overwatch Services, a company once owned by Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, has been approved by the Adams administration to qualify for no-bid security contracts at the city’s growing network of migrant shelters. This decision follows Overwatch’s successful bid for a $150-million city Housing Authority contract. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) added Overwatch to a list of pre-qualified minority- and women-owned businesses eligible for contracts of up to $1.5 million to provide guards at city facilities, including shelters for asylum-seekers.
Michael Garner, the city’s chief diversity officer, plays a significant role in the city’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) program and the effort to hire security firms for the shelter system. Garner has a history with Mayor Adams, as both were founders of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement. The mayor appointed Garner as chief diversity officer in February 2023.
Federal authorities recently seized the cell phones of several top Adams’ aides, including Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, schools Chancellor David Banks, and senior aide Timothy Pearson. Despite these actions, no accusations of wrongdoing have been made against the aides. This incident is one of four involving contract issues and top officials in the Adams’ administration.
Philip Banks, a former NYPD officer, resigned in 2014 amidst allegations in a federal investigation of police corruption. Banks later purchased Overwatch Services, now known as City Safe Partners, with a former NYPD sergeant. Another individual associated with Mayor Adams, Winnie Greco, was linked to Overwatch as well.
In July 2020, Philip Banks and his brothers hosted a fundraiser for Adams’ mayoral campaign. Both DCAS and the MWBE office, overseen by Wright, have been involved in efforts to increase minority- and women-owned businesses’ participation in city contracts, including security services for shelters.
Garner’s involvement in the MWBE program is evident in lobbying efforts by firms like Nature’s Finest Security, LLC, which aims to secure contracts under the MWBE program. Lobbyist filings show efforts to communicate with Garner and DCAS officials to navigate bidding processes and secure contracts for security services.
The influx of asylum seekers in New York City has strained the shelter system, increasing the demand for security services. The Adams’ administration has sought to support MWBEs by relaxing competitive bidding protocols for smaller contracts. The administration aims to award contracts of up to $1.5 million to MWBEs through non-competitive methods.
Following the departure of DCAS Commissioner Dawn Pinnock, Louis Molina was appointed as her replacement in June by Mayor Adams. The city has yet to disclose which pre-qualified MWBE security guard firms have been awarded contracts to date.
Overall, the Adams administration’s efforts to support MWBEs in securing security contracts for migrant shelters have come under scrutiny due to the involvement of top officials and past controversies. Time will tell how these initiatives impact the city’s shelter system and the broader community.
Source: TheCity.NYC
