Bellingham bolsters City Hall security with metal detector for screening meeting attendees
A metal detector has been ordered for Bellingham City Hall, following years of concern about public safety in the Depression-era building that houses the Mayor’s Office and City Council Chambers, as well as staff members from several municipal departments.
Mayor Kim Lund has been considering the move for several months, and first made it public in a City Council work session Monday afternoon.
“We (have taken) steps based on recommendations to create a more secure building, but there is more work to be done,” Lund told council members as they were discussing issues related to the November suspension of public comment at City Council meetings.
In an email, spokeswoman Melissa Morin told The Bellingham Herald that that the metal detector is portable and at first will be used only before City Council meetings on Monday nights at the Lottie Street entrance.
“We will begin screening for weapons at the Jan. 13 regular evening City Council meeting. Prohibited items will include, but aren’t limited to, firearms and ammunition; knives, swords and other sharp objects; explosives; tear gas and self-defense sprays; and other items that could pose danger,” Morin said in an email.
“We have plans for a temporary, manual security screening process for the Jan. 13 meeting because the metal detector on order has been delayed,” Morin said.
Open public comment will resume at the City Council’s meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, the city said at its website Wednesday.
“We are eager to resume the in-person public comment period with new measures to ensure safe and civil public discourse and to create a more welcoming City Hall,” Council President Hollie Huthman said.
A private security firm, Homeland Security Operations of Blaine, has been hired to conduct screenings. It has no connection to the federal government.
Morin said the metal detector costs $5,526.
Open carry of firearms is banned at Bellingham City Hall, but there are no other restrictions to enter the building.
Kitty-corner across Grand Avenue, however, visitors must pass through a metal detector at the Whatcom County Courthouse, where briefcases, backpacks and other belongings are screened by security guards.
The Bellingham Municipal Court building also requires visitors to submit to screenings.
City Hall, which opened in 1939, features an Art Deco style of architecture that came to be called PWA Moderne because of its use in buildings that were constructed under New Deal programs such as the Public Works Administration.
This story was originally published January 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM.
