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| Hoboken's First Family |
Yesterday a Hoboken Nixle alert notified the public of a security breach at City Hall.
Here's what happened. On Thursday night, a person entered City Hall through the Newark Street entrance at the basement level. He went through metal detectors, then asked security for permission to use the bathroom. Next: the person was on the second floor, had gone through the glass doors into the Mayor's suite of offices, where he chucked an object at the mayor's administrative assistant's desk. The object was described as a paper bag.
No further information is available now (like what was in the bag, what the suspect looked like) because the Hoboken Police Department is investigating the incident.
Well... what have we learned? Even with security on duty, persons can get to the mayor's office, wander city hall.
The video below was taken at a new Hope, Minn. City Council meeting in 2015.
Yes, Hoboken City Hall has metal detectors, but the layout of our security control point on the ground floor is wide open.
Let's face it, security at City Hall (and at our schools) need an overhaul. That is the world we live in now, not the one we want it to be.
At City Hall, GA suggests isolating the security pass-through within a vestibule between the public entry and the building, separated by a thick bullet-proof glass wall. Floor to ceiling. Make it pretty. Something modernist.
As for the building elevator, it should be keyed- always locked at the basement and first floor. I don't think that it is. Handicapped employees (and all staff) will have keys- security will provide elevator access for members of the public who need it- the elderly and disabled.
Also, when I was on the ZBA, the public was not allowed to use the locked restrooms in the basement. If you want to isolate the public downstairs, consider allowing them to use those bathrooms or tell them to use the one at Starbucks.
Who cares what new policies and security retrofits look like. The usual cranks will whine and complain. Too expensive! Feels like Sing-Sing! Too bad. Safety first. The people working inside the building should feel safe and protected and be safe and protected- that includes members of the public.
Think about it, City Hall people. This issue is not about a mayor, it is the world we live in.
Speaking of the mayor, it is not a secret but he and his family have received death threats. For public service to this City!
Now that's f*cked up.
Did the butthurts claim Bhalla did the whole thing for sympathy yet? Usually only takes a few minutes to “go there.”
ReplyDeleteDid the butthurts claim Bhalla did the whole thing for sympathy yet? Usually only takes a few minutes to “go there.”
ReplyDeleteThis is the reality of the world we live in, more inflamed with a President Trump. I would like to see City Council Members not engage in racism and if they see it, call it out.
ReplyDeletei'm confused...is just anyone off the street allowed into city hall to use the bathroom? at 8:00 pm? that seems crazy. if not, then does that mean the intruder was a city employee who was allowed in?
ReplyDeleteeither way, anyone entering the building should be required to sign in and out, particularly after normal business hours. treat city hall like pretty much every other office building in the world nowadays. apologies in advance if this would require the dudes working front desk security to pay a bit more attention.