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Council debate centers on proposed security-bypass ordinance and enforcement concerns
Summary
Councilmembers and public commenters debated Ordinance 25-46-11 on bypassing building security, focusing on who would be allowed to bypass screening and how enforcement would be applied; the council deferred further action to a later meeting.
Councilmembers and several public speakers debated a proposed ordinance (Ordinance 25-46-11) that would prohibit bypassing building security checks, with discussion focusing on whether exemptions or selective enforcement would create fairness and safety problems.
Councilmember Perucci questioned the necessity and empirical basis for the ordinance, asking, "Have we had any examples of this risk of death? I'm not aware of this," and calling the proposal an "unnecessary" response grounded in fear. Another councilmember, identified in the record as Ruby, said she supported the ordinance but raised concerns about who would be authorized to bypass security: "I do have concerns about who we authorize to go around those things. ... I do have concerns with the fact that we are not enforcing it for everyone."
Public commenters echoed the enforcement concern. Sharonda Ackland (public) said, "If you allow any bypass, then that 1 person that you allow to bypass could be the 1 that creates an issue or causes harm. ... Everyone should be required to go through." Another commenter raised the example of a council member who had threatened to openly carry at meetings and noted the risk of selective allowances.
Council discussion did not result in immediate adoption. A council speaker stated the ordinance "was requested ... we'll take it up in the the next meeting," indicating the item was deferred for further consideration and for additional information such as memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for school resource officers that were raised in the course of discussion.
Why it matters: The ordinance would set city policy about who is allowed to bypass security at municipal facilities; councilmembers and residents raised concerns about equal application and about safeguards for staff and the public.
No vote on final passage was recorded at the meeting; council indicated the item will return for future consideration.
