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Staff reports warming‑house break‑in and calls for tighter key control
Summary
Staff told council that cameras had been smeared and someone entered a warming house with a key; locks are being changed, the sheriff's office is investigating, and staff recommended stricter key‑control (logs, non‑copyable keys, programmable access) and limiting keys to city employees.
Staff reported an incident at a warming house/storage area where cameras were smeared and an individual later entered using a key. Initial footage from the night was obscured, but subsequent cleared video captured someone using a key to enter. Staff said the locksmith is changing locks and the sheriff's office has the video and is investigating.
Councilors and staff discussed gaps in key control: missing keys have been reported previously, keys were sometimes kept in utility rooms, and volunteers or external users have sometimes held keys without consistent tracking. Staff proposed policies such as a key log (requiring signature and annual review), use of non‑copyable keys, programmable access pads with time‑based codes, and limiting physical keys to city employees where feasible. No formal policy vote was taken; council asked staff to draft a key‑control policy and return with options and cost estimates for programmable locks.
