The Chattanooga City Council is looking at strengthening security at the council building with ideas ranging from increased lighting and signage to restructuring the main assembly room.
Discussion of the security changes surfaced in October when the Public Works department presented a list requested by the council of possible redesign options for the assembly room, where most public meetings are held, to ensure safety for the council, staff and crowd.
While Chairman Erskine Oglesby said the two were unrelated, the meeting safety discussion reopened after a heated public meeting at which police intervened in an argument between Oglesby and activist Marie Mott.
With the time peg of several recent outbursts from citizens at public meetings, the council also discussed creating a barrier wall between the public and council, like in a courtroom, and requiring media to stay within a rear media platform.
After discussing potential redesigns, the council consulted the Chattanooga Police Department about other more immediate changes to promote safety at public meetings and in the council building as a whole.
On Tuesday, Sgt. Sean O’Brien presented a report to the council detailing different precautionary changes that could be made to improve safety at the city council building.
“This report includes everything but a moat with alligators,” police Chief David Roddy prefaced. “We’re not recommending that you do all of this. This is just a look at what options you have and all of the different ways you might increase security.”
The report included suggestions like boosting security staff, exterior lighting, security cameras and other short-term ideas to help the council improve safety quickly.
“There are a lot of things that can be done in a perfect dream world with no budget, then there’s what I call the low hanging fruit,” O’Brien said, suggesting several new security cameras in the parking lot where council members park, increased lighting around the building, an additional security guard for Tuesday night meetings and, after it was suggested by council members, signage to warn the public of security surveillance.
Council members were also encouraged to consider security and privacy fencing around the parking lot, metal detectors at the public entrance and some form of security for a conference room often used for smaller public meetings as they looked at more permanent solutions.
As the more immediate changes are made, the council will consider those and structural changes to the assembly room, with plans to request funds in their 2021 capital budget.
Popular suggested changes to the assembly room include moving council staff to the dias, removing them from the crowd and shifting the media platform to create a more accessible emergency exit in the rear of the room.
While the council looks to strengthen the room’s security, it may have to sacrifice seating in the room, which is already occasionally overfilled during meetings of particular public interest.
“Going forward, you are going to have to weigh how much seating you’re willing to give up,” O’Brien said. “You’ll have to consider safety for everyone but also your openness as a government.”
O’Brien also emphasized the importance of council and staff practicing situational awareness, recommending several behavioral safety tips and participation in CPD’s Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events training.
The council will consider the short-term operational changes after receiving cost estimates on Dec. 17 and will work with Public Works on capital plans to submit during the 2021 budget process early next year.
Contact Sarah Grace Taylor at staylor@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6416. Follow her on Twitter @_sarahgtaylor.