(Rochester, N.Y.) – Was there a threat?
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office used unprecedented security measures at Tuesday night’s Monroe County Legislature meeting when the Legislature appointed a new public defender, a process that has been filled with controversy.
At least 20 deputies were on duty. All citizens had to be scanned by metal detectors.
The legal occupancy of the Legislature chambers was reduced to 75 from 185 and dozens of people were turned away from the meeting, even though the room was not at capacity.
Deputies escorted public speakers to and from the podium and even escorted citizens to the bathroom.
“I do believe the potential for violence was there,” said Republican Majority Leader Dan Quatro. “Once that became apparent, we had to do everything in our power to make sure everyone was going to be safe and that we were in a position to make sure that violence was minimized.”
Sheriff's Deputy John Helfer said deputies overheard threats of violence at previous meetings. He would not give specifics on the threats. He said the level of security was appropriate for the situation.
"I don't think we overreacted. I don't think we underreacted,” he said.
In the end, there was no violence, although a couple of people were arrested for disorderly conduct.
State Assemblyman David Gantt (D), who was arrested on Saturday for refusing to leave a Legislature meeting, shouted at lawmakers to let more people into the meeting. He was not arrested.
As he left the meeting, Gantt yelled, “You wonder why a guy goes in Missouri and shoots some damn body.”
Gantt was referring to a City Council meeting in Missouri where several people were shot and killed.
“If anybody had any questions about the nature of the security arrangements we had last night, that statement justifies all of it,” said Quatro.
Gantt told 13WHAM News he never made any threats of violence, and has always encouraged activists to demonstrate peacefully.
Bob Freeman, Executive Director of the New York State Committee on Open Government, said he had some concerns about the security measures.
Freeman said the Legislature has the right to make rules about conduct and to require citizens to be scanned for weapons.
“The issue involves the reasonableness of the actions,” he said.
Freeman said there did not appear to be a basis for excluding 100 people from the ability to observe the meeting. Freeman said setting up an audio feed of the meeting at another location, as the Legislature did Tuesday, is not adequate.
Freeman was concerned about armed deputies escorting speakers to the podium.
“It is intimidation for no good reason. Would that chill the desire of many people to express themselves?” he wondered.
Quatro said he hoped similar security measures would not have to be taken at future meetings.
