Metal detectors approved for high-profile WV events
By Jim Balow
Charleston Gazette
CHARLESTON, WV — You may not face one every night, but don't be surprised if you have to go through a metal detector sometime soon at the Charleston Civic Center.
Charleston City Council members agreed Monday to buy five walk-through detectors - similar to those you see at airports - and five handheld ones, using money from a Homeland Security grant.
The detectors would typically be used for high-profile events involving politicians, said Civic Center General Manager John Robertson, "unless the threat level was such that we'd use them for general public events.
"Lots of times we have had [Sen.] Jay Rockefeller here, and Congresswoman Capito," Robertson said. A visit from Gov. Joe Manchin might also call for metal detectors, he said, along with federal officials. "At times we'll have a cabinet official, or a presidential or vice presidential candidate."
Civic Center visitors have already been forced to file through detectors on a number of occasions, Robertson said.
"We had a variety of presidential candidates in here. Virtually every appearance last year of a candidate we used them. We had to borrow that type of equipment, or the Secret Service arranged to bring that in here."
"And last fall we did a public concert, a rap show the last of November - T.I. We ran people in, based on the nature of the show, the history of the artist. We felt it was the appropriate thing to do. We didn't find anything."
The Atlanta-born performer has a long history of run-ins with police, including felony charges of possession of machine guns and silencers.
The Civic Center posted signs outside the T.I. concert, warning patrons about the metal detectors, Robertson said.
When they need detectors, Civic Center staff borrow them from the Police Department and state Capitol, Robertson said. Police regularly screen visitors before City Council meetings.
The longtime manager said the new machines are just part of a changing landscape. "This is a Homeland Security situation. In the previous year we've added a pretty advanced video surveillance system. It's part of the whole country gearing up to respond if we're required to."
The devices might be used for other events, he said, depending on the situation.
"The threat level could change overnight. We have Keith Urban coming in May and, because of the large crowd, it may be appropriate.
"I don't like it myself. I don't like having to walk through the scanner at City Council meetings. It's a nuisance, but I guess it's something you have to do."
Mayor Danny Jones asked council members during a Finance Committee meeting Monday whether the city still needs to screen visitors at City Council meetings.
City Council President Tom Lane said the metal detector dates back more than a dozen years. "When Kent Hall was mayor, you could cut the air in here with a knife," he said. "Meetings lasted from 8 to 11. But the real reason was a member of council had a domestic problem and they felt there might be an issue."
Jones said he's leaning toward removing the machine. "If we have a problem we can always put it back up."
In other business Monday, council members approved a bill that would allow city officials to award construction contracts through the design/build process, where the same company designs and then builds a project. Normally, cities have to follow state rules - first get an architect's design, then seek competitive bids from builders.
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