The Observation Deck

While Summers as the Chief Safety Director lives in his bubble and has apparently failed to address a serious problem of increased violence at City Hall, Judge Carroll is taking action---and apparently with the support of Dan O'Malley.

Judge Carroll is in the front line administering justice with respect to the increased violence and crime in our community so he ought to know just how serious this problem is as it affects safety at City Hall.

Judge Carroll's letter to Council below is on Council's docket tonight--apparently because Summers has failed to act.

Summers needs to come to terms with this reality that his administration has contributed to--before he has even more blood on his hands for his failures.

Witness yet another failing of "that "nice guy" Mayor Summers.

It's a sad day when you are so ignorant and inept that a judge has to beg City Council for help addressing a clear and serious problem.

Kudos to Judge Carroll for taking the bull by the horns.

And shame on Mayor Summers for yet again ignoring the real needs of his constituents.

He's more worried about pit bulls than criminals with weapons in our courts and city hall.

WTF are his priorities?

The City Council meeting last night - Judge Carroll attended and spoke from what I've heard.

Can anyone who attended give us a summary of how it went?

Bridget Conant wrote:The City Council meeting last night - Judge Carroll attended and spoke from what I've heard.

Can anyone who attended give us a summary of how it went?

Here is the video: http://onelakewood.granicus.com/MediaPl ... lip_id=230

Unfortunately, there is no audio.

No audio? Are we supposed to read lips or make up our own storyline?

Bridget Conant wrote:No audio? Are we supposed to read lips or make up our own storyline?

The audio has been redacted. Sue for it.

Audio equipment wasn't working but kicks in around 21 minutes or so. Well worth checking out.

I listened to the 15 minutes that followed the 21 minute point. So they didn't want to take any kind of action on a safety/life-and-death matter, no surprise. I also noted, in particular, the silence of the three council-at-large members who are up for re-election. Not even Bullock, who loves to grandstand.

So Charlie is banned from Lakewood, the Lakewood Observer (print version) is banned from City Hall, I am banned from volunteering for Kauffman Park. But people carrying guns into City Hall, "right this way."

It seems rather odd that there is a supposed sudden need for this out of the blue.

Are there any documented cases of persons becoming violent at City Hall? If so, how often does this happen?

Also, how does this compare to other suburbs? Do other suburbs have metal detectors or similar equipment? I know for a fact that Fairview Park has no such measures in place, and neither does Parma Heights.

If there is a sudden need for this equipment, fine. However, I also expect a breathalyser at the staff entrance to City Hall. No entry unless you blow less than a 0.8!

Lori Allen _ wrote:It seems rather odd that there is a supposed sudden need for this out of the blue.

Are there any documented cases of persons becoming violent at City Hall? If so, how often does this happen?

Also, how does this compare to other suburbs? Do other suburbs have metal detectors or similar equipment? I know for a fact that Fairview Park has no such measures in place, and neither does Parma Heights.

If there is a sudden need for this equipment, fine. However, I also expect a breathalyser at the staff entrance to City Hall. No entry unless you blow less than a 0.8!

Judge Carroll made his case quite convincingly, at least to me.

Dan Alaimo wrote: Judge Carroll made his case quite convincingly, at least to me.

I agree. I cannot think of a time in recent history that I have entered a court without going through a metal detector and having my bag inspected and scanned.

Since we can no longer see the speaker in these videos, all we can see are city officials and council. Jen Pae looked like she was flipping through a magazine, Marx was looking at a cell or tablet and eventually most starting turning to some electronic device. I will credit Summers that I have never seen him turn his attention away from a speaker. Though he is known for listening. Hearing, understanding, empathizing, not so much.