Spokane7
68°
May 27, 2011 in City
City Hall to add security guard
Recent incidents led to move, officials say
Visitors to Spokane City Hall enter through the Post Street doors Thursday May 26, 2011. There is a consideration before the City Council to upgrade the security of the buidling.
(Full-size photo)(All photos)
Spokane City Hall will be watched by at least one security guard 11 hours a day starting next month.
The decision, officials say, is the result of a few incidents in recent years when employees felt threatened by visitors, including one involving a man who slammed a hatchet down on its side during an outburst in a meeting with the city’s police ombudsman.
“It’s an unfortunate sign of our times that we have to provide this security, but its purpose is to protect the citizens and our employees,” Mayor Mary Verner said.
The last contract to provide security for City Hall expired at the end of 2004 because of budget cuts, said Dorothy Webster, administrative services director. Other security measures have increased since late 2008, after shots were fired into the building when it was closed. Verner ordered those measures, including the locking of some entrances to visitors and a requirement for visitors to sign in to access areas beyond the first floor. Earlier this year, stairwells were made off-limits to visitors unless they use them to exit the building. Visitors also have been barred from using the skywalk between the River Park Square garage and City Hall.
City officials say the work they do – utility billing, for instance – invariably causes conflict with some residents and that having a security guard on site is likely less restrictive than what many other governments and businesses, including The Spokesman-Review, have to protect their employees.
City Council President Joe Shogan said adding security officers won’t interfere with peoples’ ability to access their local government.
“Hopefully, they won’t notice any difference,” Shogan said.
But Councilman Bob Apple said adding security is an unneeded cost and barrier.
“It’s baloney that people have to check in at City Hall to get into the building. Now, apparently, you’ll be escorted around,” Apple said. “It keeps people from even wanting to come down here.”
Administrators stress that guards won’t be escorting anyone, unless someone is causing problems and escorted out. They say the procedure for entering the building won’t change. What will change is that someone trained in security will be on site.
Shogan said without security, City Hall was on “borrowed time.”
“My job is to prepare for the unthinkable so we don’t have to deal with that after it’s occurred,” Shogan said.
The council this week voted 4-1 in favor of a $76,000 contract with Starplex, an Oregon-based security firm. Apple cast the lone vote against the contract. Council members Nancy McLaughlin and Jon Snyder were absent.
McLaughlin, who was sick on Monday, said she had mixed feelings about the contract but was willing to vote in favor if it appeared city employees felt it was necessary.
“I’m just not a very fearful person,” she said. “If somebody really wants to get into the building, they’re going to get in. I just don’t know that two security guards are going to stop an incident.”
She added that she supports the sign-in process, but believes visitors should have to show ID so that they don’t provide false names.
Starplex was not the lowest bidder for the contract. Webster said nine companies applied for the work and five were interviewed by a committee.
“We had to pick the best-qualified party, and the low bidder wasn’t the most qualified,” said Shogan, who was on the selection committee.
Shogan mentioned the hatchet incident during City Council debate. It occurred in 2009 when the man met one-on-one in a City Hall conference room with Police Ombudsman Tim Burns. Burns said the man had the hatchet within some papers on the floor. When the man grew angry, he picked it up and slammed it on the table on its side. Burns said he felt the man was trying to intimidate him, though he didn’t necessarily feel threatened. Burns said he told the man that the meeting was over and the man left angry, turning garbage and chairs over as he left the building, Burns said.
“He was clearly out of control,” Burns said. “It reinforced in our minds that there was some risk and danger.”
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
Orange on May 27 at 6:34 a.m.
and like most guards, will be there to watch and “sound the alarm”, not intervene. Or the lawsuits will fly.
TrueGOP on May 27 at 7:02 a.m.
Isn’t Starplex the same company that lost the Fairground and the Spokane Arena contracts. That security firm is a joke. If I remember correctly didn’t some of their guards steal guns they where guarding at a gun show or something a few years ago. That was huge news then. But I guess city hall knows all of this already.
garmiester on May 27 at 7:25 a.m.
Dear Bob Apple, I would like to respond to you personally about your below quote and statement,
Councilman Bob Apple said adding security is an unneeded cost and barrier.
“It’s baloney that people have to check in at City Hall to get into the building. Now, apparently, you’ll be escorted around,” Apple said. “It keeps people from even wanting to come down here.
First my wife works at Spokane City Hall, and was there when the man with the hatchet came in. She was frightened and was appalled that there is no security at city hall.
There is nothing more important than my wife and my kids.
I have worked in law enforcement for over thirty five years and have read endless accounts of workers being killed or assaulted, by a mad man, when there is lack of security at their businesses or public buildings that they work in.
“BOB”, if your wife worked the city hall and was threatened by this mad man, wouldn’t you want better security?
Oh wait a minute, you are a politician and really don’t care about the people you serve.
Maybe before you open your mouth and make statements, think what is most important, its the lives of the city hall employees, and not the money that has to be spent.
To me, this is best money that the council has spent this year.
By the way “BOB”, you are elected official and I hope that there are citizens that have read your statements and feel that at the next election, they will vote for someone that wants to keep our workers safe.
ManleyPointer on May 27 at 7:36 a.m.
Isn’t there a Spokane Police Department? Couldn’t an officer (already on the payroll) be deployed to City Council meetings to provide security? Or won’t union rules allow that?
eagleproducer on May 27 at 7:37 a.m.
So both Garbagemeister and his wife suck from the public teat…
How nice!
I agree with Bob Apple. I went down to city hall recently to renew a business license and had to sign in and out and was treated like a fugitive by the “personnel” (three women) at the “greeting” desk.
Besides, with a security guard the Marx family won’t get to parade the casket of their next dead patriarch through City Hall.
johnclarke on May 27 at 7:39 a.m.
MP - it’s cost most likley. The SPD will send you an off duty cop for a not so attractive hourly rate.
tomnsahl on May 27 at 7:50 a.m.
Nice explanation garmeister - but it is wasted on Bob, who has trouble keeping TP in stock.
It is one of the realities of our time that our public offices need security. SPD should assign an Officer to City Hall as a permanent post during business and meeting hours.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on May 27 at 8:06 a.m.
I hear he has trouble with safety harnesses for his workers that are on steep roofs too.
It may Seem like the extra expense is is not necessary….. but given incidents that have occurred at school board meetings and city council meetings around the country ( just type shootings/ city council into YouTube) it is a wise thing to do.
Mr Apple is the same person that accused “Any Person who is helping to feed the homeless, at the Tent City” is a criminal”… he is a loose cannon that we will be better off without. John
Spokane_Citizen on May 27 at 8:14 a.m.
Manly….they aren’t using a police officer (which in my opinion would be a much safer solution) because of the much greater expense involved….and they don’t want the cheapskates screaming about that cost.
Spokane_Citizen on May 27 at 8:27 a.m.
And as for Bob Apple…he’s at the end of his time with the city…thankfully, he’s term limited out, and virtually unelectable in any other capacity. Reporters know he can be counted on to say the first outrageous thing that pops into his mind when asked a question. He, and to some extent Nancy, have spent their entire elected careers simply (and safely) voting a solid minority NO on everything, while their grownup colleagues contended with the very difficult business of trying to run a city.
stopthewhining on May 27 at 8:49 a.m.
I’m really surprised there isn’t already security. It is unfortunate that it is needed but probably should have been in place for a while.
Orphan on May 27 at 9:01 a.m.
Funny no one has considered the fact that City Hall has pissed off enough people that they now feel threatened. Seems to me that if City Hall has pissed off that many people they are doing something wrong.
Garmiester Just so you know per Washington State law they can not prevent someone from entering City Hall with a firearm either concealed if they have a license or openly carryied without a license.
Security will do nothing to prevent a crime from happining. All that is being accomplished is an expensive feel good measure. Life is dangerious deal with it.
Spokane_Citizen on May 27 at 9:11 a.m.
Orphan…sounds to me like you might well be one of the people that they’re somewhat concerned about.
mikeln on May 27 at 9:44 a.m.
What happend to hire locally? They could pull one traffic cop to watch the coup. Oh, wait, a traffic cop is worth his weight in gold when it comes to fines.
garmiester on May 27 at 9:47 a.m.
Dear Orphan, if you look up the the Washington state statue on where weapons can or can not be carried, you will see below restrictions or exemptions.
FIREARMS ARE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED IN THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
Businesses serving alcohol for consumption on the premises (peace officers are excepted)
Polling places on election days (peace officers are excepted)
School grounds (some exceptions – see below) (peace officers are excepted)
Commercial nuclear & hydroelectric generating stations (peace officers are excepted)
Military installations (peace officers are limited)
Indian reservations (check w/tribe, peace officers are limited)
Game preserves (peace officers are limited)
National parks (peace officers are limited)
Correctional facilities
Federal buildings (peace officers are limited)
Airports (in or beyond security checkpoints) (peace officers are limited)
Where federal, state or local laws prohibit weapons (peace officers are limited)
State or local government/private establishments or events when asked by the operator/sponsor/agent. Most government facilities will provide a location to temporarily store a firearm. Persons who refuse to leave and/or secure their weapon are trespassing and can be cited or arrested for 13-1502A1 (C3M) or 13-1503A (C2M), depending on the venue (peace officers are excepted)
You will see that the Spokane City Hall shows that FIREARMS ARE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED .
DickAdams on May 27 at 10:09 a.m.
I guess my problem is with 2 elected officials quoted in the story. Joe Shogan, and Mayor Mary Verner, both of whom lack the necessary tools to govern and guide the city of Spokane. In my opinion, Shogan, as president of the city council, is an embarrassment conducting the council meetings putting his foot in his mouth almost weekly. Verner, lacks the leadership needed to run the Lilac City and allows her financial guru, Gavin Cooley, to blind fold the public with his shell game in his sneaky way of increasing city taxes. I have 2 letters of apology from Cooley who in one case outright lied, and the other time used a erroneous savings number about refunding muni bonds. Mr. Arbitrary Cooley, used numbers that were obviously wrong but sending me a feeble excuse (and apology) as if it were a mistake. For a financial guy to publicly use bad numbers is unforgivable. I don`t expect him to walk on water, but should make sure his math is correct before broadcasting regarding all the savings.
eagleproducer on May 27 at 10:11 a.m.
“Peace” officer?
bwwaahhahahahahahahaha. That’s a good one! Best joke of the day. You win, garbagemeister!
ManleyPointer on May 27 at 10:16 a.m.
They have cops in the schools as part of regular SPD responsibilities. Why not a cop at City Hall? Is it a matter of cost, or is it a manpower (if I may use that sexist term) issue? Maybe one of the bicycle cops could ride his bike through the lobby as part of his regular rounds. In any event, this whole issue illustrates the political ineptitude and/or indifference to the public mood of our elected city officials.
hamrsrscarry on May 27 at 10:16 a.m.
Please appoint Chef Gus to this position, dress him in the Swiss Guard uniforms of the Vatican. Equip him with night vision goggles and a submachine gun. He’s bad to the bone. He’s who Chuck Norris phones. He’s Chef Gus and he’s ready to rock. Let Chef rock.
DickAdams on May 27 at 10:20 a.m.
Garmiester, I suppose when you mentioned drinking booze you mean drinking alcohol in River Front park is OK. Gosh, some of the events the city allows not one but 2 beer gardens. Pig out in the park is one event where the city makes an exception to the law. Seems to me, public parks should not allow drinking alcohol as there is a time and place for booze.
Ron_the_Cop on May 27 at 10:21 a.m.
OK I have mixed feelings on this topic. My former hometown had a takeover active shooter prior to a City Council meeting. The shooter entered an adjacent meeting room to the Council Chamber took those present hostage and began to shoot them. Needless to say this became a problem situation:
http://www.pe.com/reports/2008/cityhall/stories/PE_News_Local_SR_cityhall_victims.d422e061.html
I wasn’t directly involved but was summoned to the scene to deal with the aftermath.
I’m for reasonable security measures but I don’t buy into feel good TSA security measures either.
You really shouldn’t have to sign in for regular business activity on the first floor e.g., bus licenses, bill payment et al. If you do need to visit an office upstairs I can see some low level screening. But the current on your honor sign in system with no verification is feel good security only.
If you’re going to have a security presence, I too vote for a uniformed/armed SPD member. Kinda of a canary in a coal mine but at least they can take immediate action and do have direct communications to summon more aid if a situation develops, better training and tactical knowledge et al.
You get what you pay for:-)
MrNatural on May 27 at 10:55 a.m.
I fail to see the controversy…any business, agency or organization should have adequate security. Our society unfortunately has a violent component that needs to be dealt with.
lewis8457 on May 27 at 12:27 p.m.
Anytime I have been at City Hall there as been at least one cop car outside, usually blocking the payment drop box. There is a security guard right on the first floor where the hallways meet. Any city council meeting has at least five cops at it.
Hey Verner stop being so eager to raise fees and taxes so you can waste our money, and maybe people would not be so mad when they enter city hall.
$78.00 dollar utility bill and no way to lower it, it fact it increases every 3 months. The highest Utility tax in the entire COUNTRY!
When I figure it out I pay the city more annually then Avista. Plus my ever increasing property taxes.
Mad that is putting it lightly.
Squid on May 27 at 1:08 p.m.
Lewis said what I was going to say, but I’ll add to it.
How can having a cop possibly cost a dime more, if that cop gets paid, no matter where he/she is. Have a rotation. Every cop has to take a two hour shift at City Hall. Doesn’t cost a dime.
Kind of a vicious circle. Citizens are angry at the City, because the City spends their money foolishly and is always broke, so the City increases the cost of the citizen’s daily necessities, then the City has to hire security to protect itself from the citizen, which costs more money and makes the citizen even more angry….. etc. etc. etc.
nslopeofw on May 27 at 2:05 p.m.
That is a pretty good job for someone who wont have any real power to do anything. Instead of paying some firm $76K, why not ask for bids from private citizens? (who have to then pass a background check) Unless there is some super training and requirements, I bet a whole lot of regular citizens would jump on a job like that. And, for a whole lot less.
misjustice on May 27 at 7:25 p.m.
Why hire an out of state security company? Aren’t there any in the Spokane area that could/would do the job? Geez!
Orange on June 05 at 8:56 a.m.
Have you seen the security personnel in Spokane? Securitas is a joke. Do they really do background checks on their guards? I heard from a friend, a guard who was employed (contracted) at his business, took a dump in the parking lot in the “wee” early morning.