After a council member reported incidents of intimidation and littering in the council chambers, the San Fernando City Council directed staff to prepare a City Hall security plan addressing member and public safety.

Initiation and concerns: Councilmember Lopez raised concerns about threats and intimidation experienced by council members and staff and asked whether the facility has security measures such as cameras in the back lobby and sufficient lighting in the parking lot.

Options discussed: Council and staff discussed a range of options including installing security cameras in the council chamber and lobby, clear signage about weapon prohibitions, wands or metal detectors at the door, occupancy enforcement or overflow rooms, and rotating a sergeant‑at‑arms presence for meetings. The police commander noted steps already taken (rotating commanders and monitoring social media) and recommended putting a security plan on a formal schedule.

Direction to staff: Council reached consensus to have staff evaluate City Hall security, prepare an implementation plan that can be coordinated with a broader parks security assessment, and return to council with cost estimates and recommended measures. Some councilmembers emphasized balancing safety with public access and privacy concerns.

Next steps: Staff will develop a security plan for City Hall (including camera placement, signage, occupancy rules and staffing needs) and present options and cost estimates for council consideration.