THE STOCKTON CITY COUNCIL voted unanimously to approve $236,479 from the city’s general fund reserves to pay for increased security measures at City Hall.
The security measures include creating a full time security services manager, to the tune of $49,724.
The additional $186,755 in new equipment total includes:
- $5,500 for walk-through and hand held metal detectors.
- $4,800 for signs and unspecified materials.
- $75,000 for new X-ray systems.
- $35,000 for bulletproof glass in the second floor lobby service window and entry door.
- $5,500 for a motor operated roll-up metal curtain for the second floor lobby service window.
- $28,000 for bulletproof drapes and curtains for the council chambers conference room.
- $23,055 in contingency funds for cost overruns.
- $10,000 to cover staff time.
District 3 Councilmember Michael Blower said that security was “pretty lax” When he began serving on the council in 2016.
“I remember when I asked about it,” Blower said, “I was told, ‘well, the dais is bulletproof.’ I thought, ‘That’s not quite what we need. We need something better.’”
However, Blower and other members of the council questioned the $236,479 price tag for security improvements, when City Hall is slated to move to its Waterfront Towers location at 501 and 509 W. Weber Ave. The current City Hall was built in 1926.
“Why would we spend that money on those items, when we’re just about to leave,” said Blower, referring to the bulletproof glass and drapes.
The council is scheduled to have meetings at its new location at the end of 2025, said Public Works Director Chad Reed during the council’s March 4 meeting.
In explaining the rationale for creating the security services manager position, Stockton Police Department Assistant Chief Scott Graviette said, “We feel that this position not only bridges the gap between the police department, but with the city manager’s office, and direct correspondence with the council to meet all the needs… (such as) interactive reports (and) interacting with staff on a daily basis.”
The security services manager position will also support every city building and the staff who work there, Graviette said, and will review safety plans and coordinate active shooter drills, among other duties.
‘We want you to be safe’
Vice Mayor Jason Lee said that when he arrived at City Hall as a newly elected member of the council, he was surprised to see a lack of security cameras, walkie-talkies for security staff to communicate with each other through the building, or any “plan to deal with a crisis.”
“When you come down here,” Lee said, addressing those in attendance, “we want you to be safe.”
Shortly before the vote on the security measures, Mayor Christina Fugazi said, “I want our councilmembers, as well as our staff and the public, to feel like they are in a safe location.”
At the same meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve a $2.34 million contract to renovate Columbus Park. Newly elected members of the council balked at the agenda item at the Feb. 18 council meeting, saying they needed more information before they committed $2.43 million of taxpayer money.
This story originally appeared in Stocktonia.