The Arizona Department of Economic Security is adding more armed guards and other increased security measures in the wake of the deadly shooting in San Bernardino, California, at a social service agency.
The Arizona Capitol Times reports that DES Director Tim Jeffries has nearly doubled the agency's annual security budget to almost $1 million, hired a security expert and is allowing employees to carry mace and pepper spray on the job.
Jeffries says he did not request more funding in order to increase security and that he instead reallocated existing funds.
Jeffries says he discussed increasing security immediately after the Dec. 2 California shooting that left 14 dead and 22 injured. More recently, on March 22, he authorized employees to carry mace and pepper spray.
