Alton Adds Metal Detector Screening for City Hall Meetings
Security changes begin on Nov. 12, 2026.
ALTON - The City of Alton will implement new security measures and protocols for Committee of the Whole, City Council and Plan Commission meetings, effective Thursday, November 12th, 2026.
Mayor David Goins said, “We’ve always had safe meetings. We want to continue to have safe meetings. We have looked at how other public bodies have implemented security protocols and drawn on best practices to keep all visitors to City Hall safe.” All persons entering City Hall after normal business hours, on meeting dates, will be required to undergo metal detector screening for weapons and prohibited items before entering City Hall.
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Screening will be conducted by uniformed Alton Police Department personnel. Screenings will begin at the November 12th City Council Meeting, with temporary screening in place until a more permanent metal detector is fully operational. City Hall will also have a limited-bag policy for these meetings. Small personal items not exceeding 10 inches by 8 by 4 inches may be permitted, subject to inspection. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items, disability related equipment, diaper bags, and work items for legitimate municipal business.
Additionally, City Hall officials have worked with the Alton Fire Department to review the maximum occupancy of Council Chambers. So that the public can safely and comfortably attend meetings, additional public seating has been added to Council Chambers. All members of the public who attend Committee of the Whole, City Council, and Plan Commission meetings will be asked to be seated once the meeting commences. Standing will not be allowed.
This will enable the Alton Fire Department and City Officials to keep Council Chambers from becoming over-crowded. In the instance that the crowd exceeds the maximum capacity in Council Chambers, additional seating is available directly outside of the Chambers, and the proceedings will continue to be broadcast via speakers into the lobby area. City Council and Committee of the Whole meetings will also continue to be able to be viewed via livestream, which can be accessed via the city’s website. Standing will also not be permitted immediately outside of the Council Chambers, to ensure that there is a safe and clear evacuation route in case of an emergency. City Hall will open 30 minutes prior to meetings.
These new security measures and protocols will not affect public comment at meetings. All persons wishing to address the meeting will continue to be able to do so, as per the rules laid out by City Code. Full details of the new procedures and the link to the livestream can be found at https://cityofaltonil.gov/city-council/
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