In order to ensure that citizens, employees, and elected officials of the City of Burlington are able to conduct city business in a safe environment, the City of Burlington will implement new security measures at City Council meetings beginning July 19th. Before any individual is allowed to pass into the Council Chambers, they must first go through simple security procedures that will screen for prohibited items.
The City of Burlington is contracting with the Lankford Company Police to provide trained personnel to operate a walk-through metal detecting device, an x-ray machine for personal items, a metal detecting wand, and conduct pat-down searches if necessary.
Before entering a meeting, individuals will be asked to place their belongings in a tray to be x-rayed while they walk through a metal detecting device. If an alarm sounds while the individual is passing through the device, an officer will use the hand-held metal detecting wand to scan the individual. If an individual has a medical condition preventing them from being in contact with a metal detector, they will be asked to sign a release that will enable officers to conduct a pat-down search so that the individual can avoid contact with metal detectors.
These searches will be used to prevent any weapons or explosive devices from entering the building. If an unauthorized, but otherwise legal, object is found during a search, it will be required to be removed from City property. Burlington Police will be notified upon discovery of any unlawful items. A list of items prohibited inside the municipal building, which consists primarily of objects that are used as weapons, will be available at the security checkpoint outside of the Council Chambers. A list of prohibited items will also be available under the “Mayor & Council” section of the City’s website at www.BurlingtonNC.gov
With specific questions regarding the implementation of security features at Burlington City Council meetings, please contact Administrative Services Director, Frank Hope, at 222-5125.