Culver City to Implement New Safety Procedures for Council Meetings

CULVER CITY (CNS) - Residents of Culver City, starting Monday, will be required to pass through a security screening, including a metal detector and bag inspection, if they wish to attend council meetings, officials announced.

"While Culver City Council meetings have always included a Culver City Police Department officer on side during the proceedings, the addition of extra security layers is a proactive enhancement of continuing to provide a safe environment for the public to engage with elected officials," Dustin Klemann, communications and public information manager for the city, wrote in an email to City News Service.

In May, council members approved a $1.83 million contract with Good Guard Security for security guard services, covering three years with two, one- year optional renewals.

"This approach to include metal detectors is similar to other California cities," Klemann said. "We encourage the public to attend these meetings in-person or through our virtual option that is available."

Firearms, knives, weapons such as pepper spray, tasers, batons, among other items, and signs larger than 18-by-24 inches are prohibited from City Council Chambers, and no one with any of those items are permitted to enter, according to Klemann.

These rules are pursuant to the California Penal Code and the city's policies related to restricted items.

Similar rules are implemented in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.

Lauren Santillana, public information manager for Beverly Hills, noted they have two private security officers stationed at the entrance of City Hall during normal business hours. Members of the public must also pass through metal detectors and consent to a bag search when entering -- which has been in place for several years.

The city of Beverly Hills has a security plan that includes the Beverly Hills Police Department, a drone program and a Real Time Watch Center.

To enter Los Angeles City Hall, members of the public must also pass through a metal detector and undergo a bag search. Los Angeles Police Department officers are stationed at the entrance and other areas of City Hall.

A representative for the city of Los Angeles noted these rules have been in place for many years.