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FL: Two top Venice officials plan to get gun permits (12/4/2001)
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
In the days after Sept. 11, Venice (FL) learned it had been a gathering place for terrorist pilots looking for flying lessons.Leery of a return engagement, some top city officials say they now need to carry a gun to feel safe. Venice City Manager George Hunt decided Thursday that he and two other department heads -- Airport Manager Larry Heath and Utilities Director John Lane -- should be allowed concealed weapons on the job...
Two top Venice officials plan to get gun permitsAfter the city's brush with terrorist pilots in training, the manager says he and two others should be armed.VENICE -- In the days after Sept. 11, Venice learned it had been a gathering place for terrorist pilots looking for flying lessons. Leery of a return engagement, some top city officials say they now need to carry a gun to feel safe. Venice City Manager George Hunt decided Thursday that he and two other department heads -- Airport Manager Larry Heath and Utilities Director John Lane -- should be allowed concealed weapons on the job. Hunt and Lane said they will get permits; Heath said he won't since airport security is already at a high level. Carrying concealed weapons is a protection currently afforded only to police officers. It's also a move no other local municipality seems inclined to follow. A poll of local governments found no other municipality in Sarasota, Manatee or Charlotte counties that allows or plans to allow employees besides law enforcement officers to carry weapons at work. "I think everybody has security concerns," Sarasota City Manager Mike McNeese said. But he said he couldn't begin to judge the situation in Venice. Venice Mayor Dean Calamaras said he agrees with Hunt's policy change -- in light of the attacks and Venice's link to the terrorists. "Last year I probably would have thought it was odd," Calamaras said, "but I sure don't today." The gun issue arose when Venice water plant employees, concerned about possible threats to water facilities, asked if they could carry weapons on the job. They were told no, but Hunt reviewed city policy and determined that he, Lane and Heath could be authorized to carry weapons if they want to. Heath said he didn't need a permit because "I'm surrounded by police," referring to around-the-clock staffing of airport property by Venice police officers. The three city officials were given no special privileges to use the guns they may carry. They must take the same safety classes as other citizens applying for a permit and pass the same background checks. They will not have arrest powers. Should they fire a gun on city property while on the job, the city would be liable for any damages, Hunt said. Concealed weapons are the latest in a series of moves by the city to boost security. The City Council voted this week to create a three-person, full-time security force at the airport. And a barbed-wire fence has been erected around the water plant where guards are on duty around the clock. What's more, the city has remained on Civil Emergency status since Tropical Storm Gabrielle blew through on Sept 14. The status allows the city to call in and pay overtime to police, fire and rescue personnel. At the annual Holiday Parade last Saturday, the city had 46 of the 48 officers on duty. Hunt said he planned a similar high-profile security presence at tonight's boat parade. Lane, who has an office at the city's water plant, said the American Waterworks Association alerted members about the possibility of terrorism at municipal water and wastewater facilities even before the attacks in New York and Washington. "And certainly after 9/11 there is a great concern and my greatest concern is the fact that these people lived here and know where we live," Lane said. Hunt said he had another reason in addition to terrorists for his gun decision -- disgruntled ex-city workers. "I'm the final arbitrator in all personnel cases," Hunt said. "And that's a reality of today's workplace -- workplace violence." Hunt said he may add city Personnel Director Rollie Reynolds to his list of officials who ought to be permitted concealed weapons on the job. Some of the additional security measures Venice officials have enacted are unprecedented in the area. Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said, "It's never been an issue; it's never come up," when asked about arming city officials in their offices. North Port City Manager Mark Roath said a task force has recommended steps to improve security at city facilities, but not arming officials. "We're right next door to the police department," Roath said. "I wouldn't rule it out. . But at this point in time, we would not have any reason to do something like that." Venice Police Deputy Chief Dan McGoogan pointed out that had security not been beefed up and something happened, "it would be front page news. We err on the side of caution, and that's generally the rule of thumb we live by." Hunt said an eventual lifting of the state of emergency will depend on outside events, such as how well the war on terrorism progresses. "I'll do that on the advice of the police, as they receive information from the FBI," Hunt said. McGoogan said the city doesn't receive updates from the FBI directly . Venice City Manager George Hunt said he had another reason in addition to terrorists for his gun decision -- disgruntled ex-city workers http://www.heraldtribune.com/headlinesstory2.cfm?ID=57135
Two top Venice officials plan to get gun permitsAfter the city's brush with terrorist pilots in training, the manager says he and two others should be armed.VENICE -- In the days after Sept. 11, Venice learned it had been a gathering place for terrorist pilots looking for flying lessons. Leery of a return engagement, some top city officials say they now need to carry a gun to feel safe. Venice City Manager George Hunt decided Thursday that he and two other department heads -- Airport Manager Larry Heath and Utilities Director John Lane -- should be allowed concealed weapons on the job. Hunt and Lane said they will get permits; Heath said he won't since airport security is already at a high level. Carrying concealed weapons is a protection currently afforded only to police officers. It's also a move no other local municipality seems inclined to follow. A poll of local governments found no other municipality in Sarasota, Manatee or Charlotte counties that allows or plans to allow employees besides law enforcement officers to carry weapons at work. "I think everybody has security concerns," Sarasota City Manager Mike McNeese said. But he said he couldn't begin to judge the situation in Venice. Venice Mayor Dean Calamaras said he agrees with Hunt's policy change -- in light of the attacks and Venice's link to the terrorists. "Last year I probably would have thought it was odd," Calamaras said, "but I sure don't today." The gun issue arose when Venice water plant employees, concerned about possible threats to water facilities, asked if they could carry weapons on the job. They were told no, but Hunt reviewed city policy and determined that he, Lane and Heath could be authorized to carry weapons if they want to. Heath said he didn't need a permit because "I'm surrounded by police," referring to around-the-clock staffing of airport property by Venice police officers. The three city officials were given no special privileges to use the guns they may carry. They must take the same safety classes as other citizens applying for a permit and pass the same background checks. They will not have arrest powers. Should they fire a gun on city property while on the job, the city would be liable for any damages, Hunt said. Concealed weapons are the latest in a series of moves by the city to boost security. The City Council voted this week to create a three-person, full-time security force at the airport. And a barbed-wire fence has been erected around the water plant where guards are on duty around the clock. What's more, the city has remained on Civil Emergency status since Tropical Storm Gabrielle blew through on Sept 14. The status allows the city to call in and pay overtime to police, fire and rescue personnel. At the annual Holiday Parade last Saturday, the city had 46 of the 48 officers on duty. Hunt said he planned a similar high-profile security presence at tonight's boat parade. Lane, who has an office at the city's water plant, said the American Waterworks Association alerted members about the possibility of terrorism at municipal water and wastewater facilities even before the attacks in New York and Washington. "And certainly after 9/11 there is a great concern and my greatest concern is the fact that these people lived here and know where we live," Lane said. Hunt said he had another reason in addition to terrorists for his gun decision -- disgruntled ex-city workers. "I'm the final arbitrator in all personnel cases," Hunt said. "And that's a reality of today's workplace -- workplace violence." Hunt said he may add city Personnel Director Rollie Reynolds to his list of officials who ought to be permitted concealed weapons on the job. Some of the additional security measures Venice officials have enacted are unprecedented in the area. Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said, "It's never been an issue; it's never come up," when asked about arming city officials in their offices. North Port City Manager Mark Roath said a task force has recommended steps to improve security at city facilities, but not arming officials. "We're right next door to the police department," Roath said. "I wouldn't rule it out. . But at this point in time, we would not have any reason to do something like that." Venice Police Deputy Chief Dan McGoogan pointed out that had security not been beefed up and something happened, "it would be front page news. We err on the side of caution, and that's generally the rule of thumb we live by." Hunt said an eventual lifting of the state of emergency will depend on outside events, such as how well the war on terrorism progresses. "I'll do that on the advice of the police, as they receive information from the FBI," Hunt said. McGoogan said the city doesn't receive updates from the FBI directly . Venice City Manager George Hunt said he had another reason in addition to terrorists for his gun decision -- disgruntled ex-city workers http://www.heraldtribune.com/headlinesstory2.cfm?ID=57135