Police chief raises concerns about pot store security

Maricopa Police Chief Mark Goodman, in his review of plans for the first cannabis retailer in the city, calls for robust security in and around the building.

Goodman made his recommendations as part of the city planning staff’s conditional-use permit review of the Trulieve pot store’s plans for a future storefront to be constructed off the southeast corner of John Wayne Parkway and West Honeycutt Road.

“It has been my experience that marijuana dispensaries are prime targets for theft and robberies, as they typically have large amounts of cash and valuable products on hand,” Goodman said in his memo to city staff. “We may explore the possibility of requiring the applicant to install appropriate safes, sally-port-style entrances and exits, and reinforced exterior walls as part of the construction process.  All these items would certainly deter theft and would enhance security for both the dispensary patrons and employees.”

In an interview with InMaricopa, the chief said, “I just wanted to make sure the operation is operating within state law.”

He said any of his suggestion for the business were in line with “best practices and safety issues.”

Goodman emphasized security.

“I thought it was good practice to have security people watch the location,” he said.

The former commander at the Pasadena Police Department said, based on his prior experience in California, he would recommend:

• Requiring prominent posting of signs prohibiting loitering and the use of marijuana, alcohol or any other controlled substance inside or right outside the location.
• Requiring unarmed onsite security personnel to be present both inside and outside the location during all business hours. The CUP application refers to the use of a “greeter” at the door screening customers, but aside from video camera coverage of the exterior of the location, “makes no mention of proactively deterring loitering, etc. at the location.”
• Requiring security personnel to conduct at least one patrol of the location’s exterior every hour, and that these patrols be documented.
• Requiring the location to produce the records of patrols on demand by a member of the police department, code enforcement, building inspector or other city staff.

Goodman told city planners, “I do have some concern regarding the proposed location of the dispensary since it is near both Maricopa High School and Exceptional Health. The location is also in close proximity to a residential neighborhood. As previously mentioned, it appears that the location of the dispensary meets the requirements of the city, so this may not factor into the final approval process.”

Trulieve, with 20 dispensaries in Arizona and about 100 more in Florida and Pennsylvania, reported revenues of $1.3 billion last year.