Concerned about the high turnover among security guards protecting privately owned commercial buildings, city officials called Thursday for improved training, pay and benefits.

City Council President Eric Garcetti and Council members Jack Weiss and Wendy Greuel held a City Hall news conference, where they promised to hold public hearings on a possible law designed to improve working conditions for the guards.

"When I was in Israel recently on a trip on security, one of the aspects that was emphasized was the need to work with private security forces," said Weiss, whose Public Safety Committee will conduct the hearings to determine what action the city can take.

"In many cases - if there is a terrorist attack, a fire or an earthquake - these are the people who will be first responders."

Weiss said the immediate concern is for guards protecting commercial buildings, especially high-rises or other potential terrorist targets, but that any programs could be expanded to include other types of buildings where private security guards are employed.

The plan was prompted by a recent study by the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, which found that the turnover rate among security guards was more than 100 percent at 37 buildings downtown.

Garcetti said most owners of commercial buildings agree they need a more stable work force and that higher pay - most guards earn less than $8 an hour, without benefits - and better training are key to keeping guards on the job.

The city's efforts come after an unsuccessful three-year campaign by the Service Employees International Union to organize the security guards.

Building owners have voiced concern about having a security force represented by the same union that has organized its janitorial services and the possibility that a contract dispute could trigger a joint walkout.