MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – New security measures are now in place for Myrtle Beach City Council meetings.
If you go to a regular meeting, you’ll have to empty your pockets and go through a metal detector to get inside.
The metal detectors are nothing new, they’re already used for court proceedings in the building and they had been used at City Council meetings immediately following the September 11th terrorist attacks.
However, with no local incidents that spurred the city to action, some in the community say the added security puts a barrier between city leaders and the people.
“A government is for the people, they’re serving us, they should welcome us,” said John Bonsignor.
Bonsignor is an active member of the community and can often be found at Myrtle Beach City Council meetings expressing his opinion.
“I do it all the time with my good friend Bennie Swans,” said Bonsignor.
Bennie Swans is currently an activist, but is also a decorated Vietnam war veteran.
“He not only won the silver star, three bronze stars but a Purple Heart. Then he has to be subjected to that, I don’t see the reason for it and I hope they don’t do it,” said Bonsignor.
Swans concern isn’t over himself, but the message it sends to the larger community.
“Any thing that is an impediment, that may discourage someone from participating actively in government, I suggest to you that we may be making a mistake,” said Swans.
The city points to the current state of affairs both nationally and regionally as the reason for the change.
“Charleston’s not that far away from us; fortunately we haven’t had those issues here. This is an easy precaution we can take to tell the public ‘yes, there is security, this is not a place you want to do something inappropriate,'” said city spokesperson, Mark Kruea.
Mary Jeffcoat is City Council’s newest member, sworn in for a four year term Tuesday afternoon.
“I personally was glad to see the change. I think most public bodies have metal detectors. It’s just another way of keeping not only council members safe, but staff and the public that comes to address us,” said Jeffcoat.
The meetings are still open to the public and Jeffcoat says the added security shouldn’t stop anyone from attending.
“If you live in the United States today you go through metal detectors just about anywhere. If our children can go through them to get to school people can go through them to get to a city council meeting,” said Jeffcoat.
The new measures did have some success on Tuesday, the first day they went into effect. One pocket knife was discovered over the course of the screenings. It wasn’t confiscated, the owner was allowed to bring it back to his car.
