March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

New Security Measures At Annapolis City Hall

The following press release was just issued from Annapolis City Hall. This comes in the wake of a theft from the Finance Department of over $150,000 in cash and checks.  While access to the safe was somewhat limited, whatever investigation was initiated by the City came up short and no suspect was ever identified or charged.

City Announces First Phase of Security Improvements
Guard placed at City Hall; visitors required to sign in at headquarters

Annapolis, Md. (10-12-10) – Mayor Joshua J. Cohen announces the first phase of new security measures to increase protections at City Hall.

As part of the initial phase, all City employees are being required to wear City ID badges and the City has posted a security guard at the front entry of City Hall during normal business hours. All non-City employees will be required to sign in during normal business hours. Outside access elsewhere into the building has been curtailed; signs have been posted to that effect.

The administration has drawn on security reviews by Gee Cosper & Associates and the Department of General Services police to implement this first phase of improvements.

A second phase of security improvements at City Hall and other City government buildings will be implemented over the next few months, based on reviews from Gee Gosper and DGS police as well as a report developed by Anne Arundel County Auditor Teresa Sutherland. The Mayor retained Ms. Sutherland’s services after the theft of more than $150,000 in cash and checks from the Finance Department in early June.

As part of the second phase of security measures:

  • Armed-car service will make daily pick-ups of deposits
  • Proxy-card access and additional cameras will be installed
  • Restricted-access safes will be installed in the Harbormaster’s offices, and in the Finance, Transportation and Recreation departments
  • All exterior locks will be changed and new keys will be issued

“We must rebuild the public trust in City government, and I believe these new security measures will help restore that confidence,” Mayor Cohen said. “Many thanks go to Ms. Sutherland, who identified many shortfalls in our handling of cash and checks. As well, I want to thank DGS police and Gee Cosper for providing a roadmap for how to better maintain a safe, secure environment at City Hall.”

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