Council Votes to Cut City Hall Security

Arguing that airport-style security at City Hall is too costly and acts as a barrier to the public, the City Council on Tuesday voted 5 to 2 to eliminate it.

The security measures, including an X-ray machine, walk-through metal detector and security personnel posted at the entrance, were put in place after a disgruntled former part-time city employee tried to gun down the council and shot several people in 1998.

The city spends nearly a half-million dollars annually on City Hall security.

The vote came after Councilman Ameal Moore, the only council member who was on the panel at the time of the shooting, delivered a passionate plea to keep the security level high.

Newly elected Councilman Dom Betro also opposed the measure because of the addition of an amendment to get rid of glass walls between the council chambers and a patio.