Bring in metal detectors

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This article was published 30/01/2024 (625 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s time to add metal detectors at Winnipeg City Hall owing to concern about recent threats to politicians’ safety, the chairman of the Winnipeg Police Board says.

Coun. Markus Chambers said walk-through screening devices should be added to prevent weapons from being taken into the relatively open public building.

“Just for screening purposes, it looks like other jurisdictions are heading that way. We have it at the law courts, we have it at the provincial legislature. Why should city hall be any different?” said Chambers.

Coun. Sherri Rollins this week called for a security review of the civic complex on Main Street, noting she’s dealt with a smashed window, stalking and threats within the past 18 months.

In Edmonton last week, gunshots were fired and a Molotov cocktail was ignited at city hall, casting a wider spotlight on security. A 28-year-old man was charged in the incident. While no one was hurt, the violence shook up council members in the Alberta city.

Chambers said he has been threatened and subjected to racist comments. In one incident, an agitated resident arrived at city hall in person and caused enough of a disruption that police had to be called, he said.

“I had to have uniformed police officers escort me through the building (that day),” said Chambers.

The councillor stressed screening must apply to all visitors to ensure it is done without prejudice.

He said the change is warranted because of the apparent increase in threats, noting politics has become more divisive in recent years.

“With how passionate people are and how polarizing some (political) decisions can be, it’s cause for concern … You don’t want to impede democracy or people’s ability to access government, but it has to be done safely,” he said.

The presence of metal detectors at city buildings has been divisive. The devices were added as an interim security measure at the downtown Millennium Library when it reopened in January 2023, about a month after a fatal stabbing. On Dec. 11, 2022, 28-year-old Tyree Cayer was stabbed to death on the main floor, leading to the facility being shuttered for weeks.

Several advocates claimed the security measures violated privacy rights and created a barrier to using the library. The presence of metal detectors at the downtown library from 2019 to 2020 had triggered protests. The devices were removed during the pandemic.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said he agrees more steps are needed to improve city hall security. However, he prefers to seek expert advice from a new safety official, whom the city plans to hire, to help decide if metal detectors should be added.

“I’m not opposed to them, but first I’d like to hear from the security lead … The goal, ultimately, is to make sure that city hall remains accessible to all people. Unfortunately, we live in a world right now where we’re seeing a rise of incidents that threaten security. That’s a reality,” said Gillingham.

As the Free Press has reported, work is underway to add the new “campus security lead” at City Hall, who would be tasked with creating a comprehensive plan for the complex and, eventually, all city buildings.

Michael Jack, the city’s chief administrative officer, said no decision has been made on whether to add metal detectors at city hall and a “wide variety of opinions” from council members would need to be considered first.

“Historically, there has been a real desire to keep City Hall open, (for) the building of the people to be accessible. So obviously, (these measures) would be a restriction on that. Wherever we land, we’ll want (as much as possible) … all of council to be supportive and in favour of whatever we’re going to do,” said Jack.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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