Several security changes are coming to Medicine Hat City Hall. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

CITY HALL

Medicine Hat reveals new security measures for city hall

May 22, 2024 | 3:20 PM

Public access to Medicine Hat City Hall will be limited to one entrance, elevator use will be restricted to certain floors and new security doors will block off staff work areas as part of incoming security changes the city revealed on Wednesday.

Public visitors will enter the building exclusively through the west entrance and public elevator access will be limited to the underground parkade and main floor as of June 3, the same day as the next council meeting.

Security staff also will be on-hand to to assist those meeting city officials for appointments.

The changes are part of an effort to keep those who work at city hall safe, according to corporate services managing director Dennis Egert.

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“Our goal is to maintain appropriate public access to the required services while considering the safety of staff and members of the public,” Egert said in a statement.

“Many in our community access City Hall to conduct business. We want them to feel welcome and comfortable while ensuring that the facility is used appropriately.”

Jeff Hoglund, the city’s director of fleet, facilities and asset management, said not all of the changes are permanent.

“These changes are a temporary measure to provide a safer facility, and to accommodate the upcoming construction and installations,” Hoglund said.

“Like all security measures, this is scalable to increase or decrease depending on the current situation and risks.”

However, the changes come after several incidents involving independent media organization Community TV at city hall.

One of the organization’s members, Kelly Allard, was removed from the building once in recent weeks, according to posts online. Both members of the organization have dealt with pressure from security officers at city hall.

Officials said the security changes are not directly related to one specific incident.

The city earlier this year relocated the main floor security desk to help with sightlines, improving access control and helping to differentiate between administrative and public spaces.

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Those changes came soon after an attack on Edmonton city hall when a shooter opened fire and threw a molotov cocktail. While moving the security desk was in the works before that attack, it still highlighted a need, officials said at the time.

The upcoming installation of security doors restricting public access to staff work area are among further future physical changes to the building.

Clarification: Updated to reflect accurate details regarding Community TV’s security interactions.