Security at City Hall

The killings during a council meeting at Kirkwood, MO on 2/7/08 has inspired some interest in security measures being taken at Newark City Hall. Channel 4 in Columbus interviewed Council President Marc Guthrie for his reaction.

Federal funds were used to install an emergency exit door and there's a direct wire from council chambers to the police department for emergency help.

The problem though is not just the protection of council members. It is a matter of security for all City Hall employees.

For that purpose, a metal detector was purchased with federal funds three years ago but it is still sitting in the lobby, unused - apparently because the city has nobody qualified to operate it, though $89,000 was appropriated for that purpose last year and $100,000 this year.

There's a saying about closing the barn door after the horses get out. Is that what we're waiting for?