Councilmember seeks $150,000 for security fencing at Northeast Police Station

Councilman Beckius asked the council to appropriate $150,000 in one‑time general fund reserves to install security fencing around the private portion of the Northeast Police Station.

Beckius framed the request around the station’s role: "This station houses dispatch, which provides emergency communications throughout Lancaster County... we have people working at this location, every day, all the time." He said the station is distinct from other city stations because it houses 24/7 telecommunicators and that prior incidents — including a broken back window on a telecommunicator’s vehicle — motivated the request.

Police Chief Michonne Morrow, who was present, told the council the department would not seek hostile fencing such as barbed wire and would instead aim for security that preserves public approachability and operational access: "We certainly would not be looking at that type of fencing... Our main concern in the conversation is having accessibility. We will have to have cruisers priority call come. We certainly don't wanna be needing to step outside of our cruiser, open a gate." Chief Morrow said access design for cruisers will be part of future conversations if the proposal advances.

Council members asked whether gate access and fence style had been specified; Beckius and staff said detailed design and final specifications would be decided later with input from the police department and facilities staff. No formal vote was taken; if moved forward on July 20, the proposal would fund design and installation work pending additional technical details and final specifications.