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Hamilton implements tighter security
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
HAMILTON, Ill. - The City of Hamilton is beefing up security at city council meetings, much like its neighbor west of the Mississippi River has had in practice for several months.
The first reading of an ordinance providing for security at public meetings and the use of a metal detector was unanimously approved Monday by the Hamilton City Council.
Council member Steve Weber was absent.
Visitors and Keokuk City Council members alike encounter a police officer with a metal detecting wand at the door of Keokuk City Council chambers, and bags, including purses, may be scrutinized for items that could disrupt proceedings or do harm.
Hamilton has gone one step farther with the installation of an in-place metal detector just inside the police department door. In addition, an officer with a wand will be able to facilitate entry for handicapped people and help narrow down any positive reading the first device may make.
If the two additional readings of the security ordinance are approved, entry into the meeting room will have to be through the police department door.
The changes in Hamilton were motivated in part by a dispute in Mount Pleasant in the early to mid-1990s and another more recently in the St. Louis area, that resulted in shootings at city council meetings. Also, school shootings have been on the increase in the nation as well as weapons and/or threats of weapons in some local schools.
During highly charged, emotional meetings tempers run hot and serious problems can occur.
“The Health and Safety Committee agreed it was something the chief (Police Chief Walt Sellens) should look into,” said Hamilton Mayor Stephen Woodruff. “Police had been requesting a hand held (metal detector) for more than a year. In at least two different budgets they requested it.”
Sellens explored options and came up with a system for about $3,200. The committee authorized Sellens to go ahead and buy the equipment, Woodruff said.
Also, several cameras have been installed in City Hall, including the main conference room where meetings are held as well as interview rooms and other areas. More cameras are planned.
The ordinance prohibits possession of “any gun or firearm of any kind; any knife with a blade longer than two inches; any drug, controlled substance ... or any drug-related material or contraband; and no device or instrument that could be used as a weapon, excluding those items to assist with handicap accessibility,” according to the ordinance.
“All persons, property, purses, brief cases, computers ... recording devices, electronic devices, clothing or pockets or other items may be searched for unauthorized items. Illegal items will subject the person to arrest.”
As people walk through the police station door, a metal detector will scan them as they enter.
“Any indication of metal on or about the person will be subject to further investigation (use of the hand held wand) ... could include a pat-down search of the person ... Entry will be denied to the building if any person refuses to comply with all reasonable demands of the screener,” the ordinance says.
Owners of items that are not illegal but are prohibited can remove the offending material from the building or the screener can hold the item until the meeting is over and the person leaves the building.
The ordinance provides for public to enter council chambers by way of the police station no earlier than 45 minutes before the meeting starts.
Arrangements will be made for handicapped people, who also are subject to search, as they arrive or by prior notification at 217-847-3347.
The first reading of an ordinance providing for security at public meetings and the use of a metal detector was unanimously approved Monday by the Hamilton City Council.
Council member Steve Weber was absent.
Visitors and Keokuk City Council members alike encounter a police officer with a metal detecting wand at the door of Keokuk City Council chambers, and bags, including purses, may be scrutinized for items that could disrupt proceedings or do harm.
Hamilton has gone one step farther with the installation of an in-place metal detector just inside the police department door. In addition, an officer with a wand will be able to facilitate entry for handicapped people and help narrow down any positive reading the first device may make.
If the two additional readings of the security ordinance are approved, entry into the meeting room will have to be through the police department door.
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During highly charged, emotional meetings tempers run hot and serious problems can occur.
“The Health and Safety Committee agreed it was something the chief (Police Chief Walt Sellens) should look into,” said Hamilton Mayor Stephen Woodruff. “Police had been requesting a hand held (metal detector) for more than a year. In at least two different budgets they requested it.”
Sellens explored options and came up with a system for about $3,200. The committee authorized Sellens to go ahead and buy the equipment, Woodruff said.
Also, several cameras have been installed in City Hall, including the main conference room where meetings are held as well as interview rooms and other areas. More cameras are planned.
The ordinance prohibits possession of “any gun or firearm of any kind; any knife with a blade longer than two inches; any drug, controlled substance ... or any drug-related material or contraband; and no device or instrument that could be used as a weapon, excluding those items to assist with handicap accessibility,” according to the ordinance.
“All persons, property, purses, brief cases, computers ... recording devices, electronic devices, clothing or pockets or other items may be searched for unauthorized items. Illegal items will subject the person to arrest.”
As people walk through the police station door, a metal detector will scan them as they enter.
“Any indication of metal on or about the person will be subject to further investigation (use of the hand held wand) ... could include a pat-down search of the person ... Entry will be denied to the building if any person refuses to comply with all reasonable demands of the screener,” the ordinance says.
Owners of items that are not illegal but are prohibited can remove the offending material from the building or the screener can hold the item until the meeting is over and the person leaves the building.
The ordinance provides for public to enter council chambers by way of the police station no earlier than 45 minutes before the meeting starts.
Arrangements will be made for handicapped people, who also are subject to search, as they arrive or by prior notification at 217-847-3347.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of dailygate.com.
wow wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:56 AM:
" People never cease to amaze me. I see that when some can no longer argue their point or have been proved wrong, some tend to get personal. I thought this discussion was about security not spelling and grammar.
Personally, I don't care how people spell or say something, so long as I am able to understand the point they are trying to make.
To the DGC staff: I think you should do an article on spelling and grammar. There is comments about it in almost every article. Then people could actually discuss the topic at hand, rather than knit-picking when the discussion doesn't go their way. lol
Have at it, I am sure someone will tell me how my grammar and/or spelling is wrong. "
Personally, I don't care how people spell or say something, so long as I am able to understand the point they are trying to make.
To the DGC staff: I think you should do an article on spelling and grammar. There is comments about it in almost every article. Then people could actually discuss the topic at hand, rather than knit-picking when the discussion doesn't go their way. lol
Have at it, I am sure someone will tell me how my grammar and/or spelling is wrong. "
What was the purpose wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:15 AM:
" Just wondering if anyone on here even remembers what was the article about? It seems to me that far too many people are jumping on people and not just reading the article and moving on. I think keokuk smells because of the people not the industry. The industry smells like progress, the people just smell. Now you can attack me. "
To Mary H. wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:11 PM:
" You, too, were very close. The contraction is "you're," as in, "you're so smart" and "you're proud." "
To TO SO CLOSE wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:08 PM:
" Ohhh, you were so close, too. You misspelled "mispell." But I'm sure that was your purpose. Bwahahahaha. "
To SO CLOSE wrote on Aug 28, 2008 3:11 PM:
" So you admit to needing a dictionary to look up his words, I know Jesse and can bet he didn't mispell anything without a purpose, maybe that is why he put "now bash me" at the end. I can't believe that someone who properly spells all those other 50 cent words would mispell intestinal, you took the bait and bashed him. Proves his point. Good boy. "
No cigar wrote on Aug 28, 2008 3:11 PM:
" Sorry, can't resist Jesse--I think you got in a hurry...and you meant "then just be quiet"! Not than just be quite. I guess you're getting your wish! "
Mary H of Hamilton wrote on Aug 28, 2008 3:06 PM:
" Jesse could have used a dictionary to write it, but your so smart you needed one to check if his spelling was correct, how many other words did you need to look up. And I bet your proud that you found his mistake. I see you did not have the INTESTINAL fortitude to use your real name. Big talk when you stay unknown. Go flip some burgers and make some fries so your momma can be proud too. "
So close, Jesse wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:57 AM:
" Man, you were so close. The word is "intestinal," not "intestional." My dictionary had the correct spelling.
Maybe you shouldn't be bashing the original writer of the story or the bloggers. "
Maybe you shouldn't be bashing the original writer of the story or the bloggers. "
goose wrote on Aug 23, 2008 11:17 AM:
" boy you hamilton folks sure is smart with all that fancy book learnin and spellin "
Roflcopter wrote on Aug 22, 2008 4:28 PM:
" @ Kim L. Miller
Actually it's "substances." Also, "have" instead of "had." Also, "too," too. Bonus: It was "brfore" not "bfore" Furthermore, you are missing several hyhens and have used incorrect punctuation.
D- for effort. "
Actually it's "substances." Also, "have" instead of "had." Also, "too," too. Bonus: It was "brfore" not "bfore" Furthermore, you are missing several hyhens and have used incorrect punctuation.
D- for effort. "
Kim L. Miller wrote on Aug 22, 2008 3:30 AM:
" It looks like Mike can read. You can't read or spell ( check your spelling of before, it's not bfore). Try using a dictionary some time if you can read one, or try proof reading too. The Hamilton City Council has it stated as any drug controlled substance or drug related material, not as illegal drugs. Mr. or Ms. Biggles, medications are controlled subtanances that are controlled by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Why do you think you need a prescription when getting medications from a drug store! The Hamilton City Council should of had it clarified before it was printed in the paper. Would it had been to hard for the council to do that? "
Biggles wrote on Aug 21, 2008 2:05 PM:
" Hey, Mike, the only time 'medications' is mentioned is in your comment.
I don't think "any drug, controlled substance ... or any drug-related material or contraband" refers to prescribed medication. Before you wonder what the world is coming to, try calling the Hamilton City Council to clarify the ordinance. "
I don't think "any drug, controlled substance ... or any drug-related material or contraband" refers to prescribed medication. Before you wonder what the world is coming to, try calling the Hamilton City Council to clarify the ordinance. "
Mike L. Myers wrote on Aug 21, 2008 12:39 AM:
" What does a presons medications have to do with security. A person should be able to have thier mediation with them if needed. The weapons I can see but medicine could mean life or death. This is going to far, is someone going to hurt a person with a pill. What is this world coming to? "
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Harry Potter wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:08 PM: