Bristol Township officials this week announced additional security measures for council meetings.
A police officer and a walk-through metal detector will greet attendees at the council meeting Thursday evening, according to the township. A statement says that “all bags and persons are subject to search.”
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Officials are asking residents to leave all unnecessary bags and other items either at home or locked in their vehicle before coming to the meeting.
Township Manager Bill McCauley said the added security measures will be in place for an undetermined amount of time.
The extra security comes a week after three people were killed in upstate when a gunman with a semi-automatic rifle opened fire on a Ross Township Board of Supervisors meeting. McCauley confirmed that the Ross shooting prompted the move.
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“Because of the shooting in the Poconos – he’s (McCauley) is just being proactive and protecting the public and council,” Councilman Craig Bowen said.
In the past, Bristol Township Council meetings have been heated. Police have been called in the past during lively public comment sessions.
Bristol Township is the first municipal body in the county to have armed police at regular council meetings as a regular security measure.
