When you’ll see it

3.2.20

While visitors to our City Council meetings have already become familiar with the new security check process, we’ll begin daily metal and bag screening at City Hall on Monday, March 2.

Our goal is for the actual screening process to take two to three minutes. We’re also hoping to minimize waits in line, though that will depend on how many people are in line at any given time.

Once you reach screening, a security representative will take a quick look inside bags. There is no limit to the number of bags visitors can bring during normal business hours. For council meetings, guests will be limited to one personal item and one additional item. 

You’ll then take out keys, cell phones and any other metal objects before walking through a doorway-style metal detector.

The process is exactly like what you’ve probably experienced at concerts, sporting events and theme parks.

After you’ve cleared the screening process, a security representative will ask for your photo ID. They’ll use this to make you a visitor badge. 

Why we’re doing this

The new safety measures are not a response to any known threat or incident. 

They do reflect a time of added security risks and responsibilities.

They bring Anaheim City Hall in line with practices at other cities, government buildings, sports venues and major public places.

Ultimately, they are designed to safeguard anyone who visits City Hall and to provide peace of mind for residents and visitors.

Behind the changes

The new safety measures are the result of an internal safety audit and analysis of other cities by Anaheim’s Executive Safety Committee and are being implemented at the direction of Anaheim’s city manager.

The Executive Safety Committee includes: 

• Anaheim’s city manager
• Anaheim’s police chief
• Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s chief 
• Anaheim’s safety manager
• The directors of Anaheim Public Utilities, Community Services, Public Works and Convention, Sports & Entertainment