Rhode Island City Considering Security Upgrades for Government Building

A City Hall in Providence, Rhode Island might be getting a boost in security.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Feb 21, 2019

Several Providence, R.I. City Hall members say they want to move quickly to implement a City Hall security plan that would require the public to walk through metal detectors to enter the building.

The proposal under consideration also includes locking the entrances to City Hall for non-city employees, and having a single entrance for the public, as well as adding three metal detectors and a card system that would allow employees to enter the building. The proposal also mentions the addition of security film to many windows as well as increasing the amount of security cameras in the building.

"I don't think the money should be an issue on safety," Councilman Nick Narducci said during a meeting with other council members. "I've always said that."

City Hall employees have long advocated for security improvements to the building, in part because it does not have the same kinds of security featured at other government buildings in town, such as the State House or the courthouses. In August, a man allegedly broke into City Hall and stole two laptops.

Other council members worry about closing off City Hall, stating they liked how accessible the building was to the public.