Erik Verduzco/The Bay Citizen

The crowd gathered in Frank Ogawa Plaza.

The city of Oakland has decided it no longer needs help from a private security firm to guard against potential Occupy Oakland encampments at Frank Ogawa Plaza.

The Oakland Police Department said Monday that the city had terminated their contract the firm that had been patrolling the plaza in front of City Hall.

As Oakland Local first reported Monday, the city decided to severe its agreement with VMA Security early, on Jan. 6, after spending about $110,000 on security for Frank Ogawa Plaza.

City Administrator Deanna Santana used her emergency powers during the Occupy Oakland protests to authorize a $300,000 contract with VMA. Security guards appeared at the plaza Nov. 17, three days after the Oakland Police Department evicted the Occupy encampment for a second time.

The city had originally expected to spend up to $500,000 on private security. But in December, after it appeared the large protest group had stopped attempting to move back into the plaza, assistant City Administrator Scott Johnson said the demand for security was less than anticipated, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.