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Huntington Beach City Council members shot down proposals for installing metal detectors at city hall last month, claiming the police department didn’t need the extra security measures.
“We don’t need another study,” said Councilman Casey McKeon at the council’s Sept. 17 meeting. “I trust implicitly our first in class police department have all the tools they need.”
It comes after the council’s minority members have said they’ve heard safety concerns from residents.
It’s also an issue that was also quietly considered by the police department earlier this year.
Documents obtained by Voice of OC through a public records request show a police captain recommended purchasing metal detectors following a security study in January, but Police Chief Eric Parra shot the idea down.
The study recommended several security upgrades to the council chambers, most of which focused on improving the security of the council’s private caucus room with new deadbolts, peepholes and alarming several doors at the back of the chambers to prevent outside entry.
To see a copy of the study, click here.
Those recommendations were all implemented according to city records.
Captain Gaute Svendsbo also recommended metal detectors at the council chambers’ main entrance to Parra, who was both the police chief and acting city manager at the time.
“Although these additions provide enhanced security, additional investments can be made to increase safety and security for attendees and city personnel at future meetings,” Svendsbo wrote in a memo. “One such feature is the purchase of walk-through metal detectors.”
In a statement last Thursday, police department spokesperson Jessica Cuchilla said Parra made the choice not to move forward with the upgrades because the other measures beefed up security..
“While Captain Svendsbo provided options – including the potential purchase of walk-through metal detectors – he clearly noted that such recommendations would only be implemented if a decision was made to proceed,” Cuchilla wrote. “At this time, Chief Parra has determined the current security updates … provide sufficient public safety.”
When asked why Parra didn’t tell council members about the study, Cuchilla said that was up to Parra’s discretion.
“Should Chief Parra feel that additional safety measures are necessary,” she wrote. “He would inform the City Council and implement them.”
Svendsbo also attached a proposed budget for the new detectors, which would cost around $14,500 to purchase and require security personnel to man them at a cost of around $1,500 per month.
To review a copy of that memo, click here.
Meanwhile, three council members have raised security concerns and called for a study on the issue – even after the police department privately conducted one.
“We have received many emails and in-person communications from residents saying they do not feel safe coming down to these chambers to exercise their constitutional rights,” wrote Councilmembers Dan Kalmick, Natalie Moser and Rhonda Bolton in a memo last month.
“An evaluation is overdue to ensure that our Police Department has the best available tools at its disposal to physically secure the Council Chambers,” they continued. “Of particular interest are innovative tools that can detect individuals attempting to enter the building with weapons.”
Noah Biesiada is a Voice of OC reporter and corps member with Report for America, a GroundTruth initiative. Contact him at nbiesiada@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @NBiesiada.
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