Mayor Goins Outlines New Alton City Hall Safety Procedures
The mayor detailed plans for security screenings, a bag policy and Council Chambers changes, while leaving questions about implementation timing and the recent threat unanswered.
ALTON — A recent threat prompted city officials to adopt security screenings and a bag policy at City Hall, Mayor Goins said in a statement outlining new safety procedures and changes to Council Chambers.
Goins said the measures are intended to keep visitors safe while protecting their ability to participate in public discussions. The statement did not specify when the screenings and bag policy would take effect or provide details about the threat.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
“Everyone in our community should be able to express their views on any issue, without feeling intimidated or unsafe,” Goins said. “Respectful disagreement is a healthy part of our community’s decision-making process, and we want to protect that. After a recent threat, we were compelled to revisit our safety protocols.”
Goins noted that metal detectors are commonplace at courthouses, schools and other public gatherings.
“Keeping our community safe is always our first priority, and that is why we have decided to begin screenings and a bag policy here at City Hall,” he said.
City officials also asked the Alton Fire Department for guidance on how many people Council Chambers can safely accommodate and what measures were needed to allow people to leave the building safely during an emergency.
Fire evacuation routes will be more clearly identified and kept clear, Goins said. Additional public seating has been added to Council Chambers, and the room has been rearranged to seat more visitors.
Goins said alternative meeting locations could be considered if larger crowds make them necessary.
Addressing whether the procedures were related to data centers, Goins said increased engagement over the issue was part of the context, but safety was the broader concern.
“Data centers are driving an increased level of engagement and may be the main topic of conversation right now, but this is about keeping people safe in our public buildings regardless of the reason for their visit,” he said.
Goins also rejected the suggestion that the changes were intended to limit public input.
“I would argue that creating a safe space for people to exercise their First Amendment right is a fundamental responsibility for the City of Alton,” he said.
More like this:
- Most Popular
- Top Stories
- Most Recent
