In response to several threats made against the head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the utility’s board Tuesday will consider a $700,000 contract for private security.
On Tuesday, the five-member Board of Water and Power Commissions will vote on a one-year contract with Pinkerton Consulting and Investigations, Inc., a company specializing in protection of executives or key personnel. According to a utility representative, DWP CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones received “numerous threats” related to the Palisades fire.
DWP is facing lawsuits and criticism over its response to the Palisades fire that erupted on Jan. 7. Residents of the Pacific Palisades blamed widespread devastation due to low water pressure in some fire hydrants and pointed to an empty reservoir that sat empty for nearly a year, which officials said awaited repairs.
DWP officials told the L.A. Times that some of these threats “required direct intervention by law enforcement.”
In response to questions about the nature of these threats, DWP officials referred answers to the Los Angeles Police Department. The utility confirmed Quiñones had a security guard consisting of Los Angeles World Airport officers and later LAPD sworn personnel.
LAPD officers had security teams for former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, and Chief Jim McDonnell during the fire emergencies.
A representative for LAPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
City Council members and Mayor Karen Bass confirmed Quiñones as the head of DWP in May 2024 with a salary of $750,000. The Times reported that some of these attacks online assailed her earnings and labeled her as a “DEI hire” for her Puerto Rican heritage.
Funding for Quiñones’ salary comes directly from the departments’ revenues, and does not impact the city’s general fund. Elected officials approved the $750,000 salary to remain competitive with private and public agencies. Quiñones’ salary is similar to rates at the Omaha Public Power District in Nebraska and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
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.