City Hall Beefs Up Its Security
The City of Ottawa will be implementing enhanced security measures at City Hall, starting May 26.
—
This is a release from the City of Ottawa:
—
Over the years, security risks and incidents have evolved, resulting in various levels of government updating their security procedures for entry into their administrative and legislative centres. As a result, the City will be adopting security screening measures, which is a best practice model that it is currently in place in other public-facing government buildings in the national capital region, as well as at City Hall buildings in Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal.
Ottawa City Hall will remain a welcoming environment for all – a place to conduct civic business, to engage, and to celebrate. Operating hours are from 8 am to 5 pm, seven days a week.
All visitors entering City Hall will be asked to use the Laurier Avenue West and Lisgar Street entrances. Visitors are required to have their bags screened and go through a metal detector, much like they would at professional sports venues.
The screening process will be efficient, respectful and courteous. Bilingual guidance and directions will be provided throughout by security personnel, as well as through signage displayed inside and outside the facility. To avoid any delays, visitors should ensure they do not carry any of the following prohibited items:
Sharp objects, blades or tools
Compressed gas cylinders, aerosol cans, or powders
Explosive or flammable items
Weapons – including toy replicas
Noisemakers, megaphones or air horns
Large placards or signs (that are not made of cardboard or cloth)
Security screening process
During the Security screening process visitors will be required to:
Place all personal items including coats, cell phones, laptops, purses, bags and the contents of their pockets onto a tray for x-ray screening
Walk through a metal detector
Accommodations will be made available upon request for people with disabilities or other individualized needs. The City’s security screening procedures account for special circumstances/considerations and security staff have received accessibility training.
On weekends, access to City Hall will be limited to the Laurier Avenue West entrance; however, people with disabilities arriving at the Lisgar Street entrance can call for assistance by using an intercom located near the exterior doors.
No changes are being made to parking garage accessibility; the City Hall parking garage will continue to be open 24/7. On weekends, however, visitors entering City Hall from the parking garage by elevator are required to use the elevators on the Laurier Avenue West side.
For You:
City Ignores People’s Wants And Needs: BENN
Think Practicality? Think City Of Ottawa
What’s In It For Doug Ford? THE VOTER
The New Noise Bylaw Is Unfair: PATTON
What Happened To City Quality Control?
Bookmark The Bulldog, click here
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
– The Bulldog – News Feed Enter 
I’m guessing it’s to keep out the homeless?
What kind of threat(s) would have recommended permanent metal detectors and bag searches as if you are at an airport.
I find this prohibited item of interest: Large placards or signs (that are not made of cardboard or cloth). I really would like to know what threat these pose.
I’m curious how they assumed that most NCR facilities seem to have metal detectors / bag searches as a best practice security measure. That hasn’t been my experience. Granted I’m sure some do, like Parliament Hill, NDHQ, but most would have turnstiles in place.
I am appalled they let you keep your shoes and belts on.
So … what’s next? Interrogation rooms with a single bright light hanging over a decrepit table?
Those at city hall must think very highly of their own self-importance.
What does the Night Mayor think about closing at 5pm “a place…to engage and to celebrate”?
The CEO/City Manager of Ottawa ,Wendy Stephanson, wants Ottawa to look and feel like a big city when it isn’t. Imagine being prohibited entry to City Hall, supposedly a public space, to pay your water bill simply because you have a pen knife in your pocket. How much is the extra security staffing, metal detectors and signage going to cost ? This could be justified in a big city, but ridiculous in the city that fun forgot.