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Complaint about Hialeah building ID checks; city attorney says checks are common practice but not legally required
Summary
A resident said security staff required ID and told visitors where they were going before allowing entry; the city attorney said requesting ID is prevailing practice in many local governments but not a legal mandate and distinguished general building entry from access to limited offices.
Seymour Bush told the council he had been stopped three times by security staff who required identification and directions before permitting entry to the building, and he described the practice as ‘‘nonsense.’'
The city attorney acknowledged that while many city and county halls routinely ask visitors to show ID and sign in, there is no legal requirement forcing that practice when merely entering the building. He drew a distinction between entering a public government building and entering a limited office or nonpublic workspace, where additional sign-in requirements may apply. The attorney said staff would update an informal memo to clarify the practice for security staff.
Council leadership asked staff to follow up and provide clarity on the policy so visitors and front-line staff know the rules.
