Elected politicos this week will be discussing enhanced security measures for city commission meetings. They want to run a wand up your pant leg and search your grandma’s purse before coming in the room.
The proposal would introduce airport-style security measures at City Hall and place new expectations on anyone who wants to speak in person. The discussion Wednesday will center on a range of options that include police officers conducting wand searches, bag inspections, walk-through metal detectors, or even high-end radar and artificial-intelligence systems used in stadiums and hospitals. The idea is framed as a response to concerns about safety during public meetings, although the agenda notes that the fiscal impact remains undetermined.
Under the proposal, two police officers would staff each meeting to screen visitors and search purses and bags. The estimated annual cost for this option is $11,500, based on approximately twenty-four meetings each year, with officers on duty for three hours per meeting. One officer would handle the wand or walk-through screening while the second would manage bag inspections pending legal review. Commissioners are also evaluating the purchase of handheld metal-detection wands priced between $250 and $350 each, with a recommendation that at least two be acquired to ensure a backup. Walk-through metal detectors range from $2,500 to $10,000 for a one-time purchase. The most expensive option involves advanced walk-through radar systems paired with artificial intelligence, costing $50,000 to $75,000 per unit or roughly $2,500 to $3,000 per month on a lease that covers maintenance and software updates. These systems can process more than 2,000 people per hour and do not require visitors to remove items from their pockets…