Asks the City Manager to conduct a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures at Cambridge City Hall, which shall include an assessment of physical access controls, visitor screening practices, on-site security staffing and training, emergency response and evacuation protocols, and the use of security technologies such as surveillance systems and alarm monitoring

City Hall serves as the central civic space for governance, public participation, and the delivery of essential municipal services, and must remain accessible while ensuring the safety of all who work in or visit the building; and Municipal buildings across the United States have, at various times, been the sites of serious acts of violence directed at elected officials, municipal employees, and members of the public; and

On November 27, 1978, San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor

Harvey Milk were assassinated inside San Francisco City Hall, demonstrating the grave risks that can arise within government facilities; and

On July 23, 2003, New York City Council Member James Davis was fatally shot

inside New York City Hall during a City Council session, highlighting vulnerabilities in legislative spaces designed for public access; and On February 7, 2008, a gunman opened fire during a public meeting inside the Kirkwood, Missouri City Hall council chamber, killing multiple municipal officials and a responding police officer; and On January 5, 2026, an individual forcibly entered Lawrence City Hall in Kansas, breached secured internal office space housing senior municipal leadership, and was fatally shot following an altercation with a trained and authorized city employee, resulting in the temporary closure of City Hall and disruption of municipal court operations; and These incidents illustrate that acts of violence and forced entry within municipal buildings are neither hypothetical nor unprecedented, and that unauthorized access to secured government spaces can rapidly escalate into life-threatening situations; and The City of Cambridge has a responsibility to safeguard City employees, elected officials, volunteers, and members of the public while maintaining transparency, openness, and meaningful civic engagement; and Many municipalities have responded to similar risks by implementing layered safety measures, including access controls, trained security personnel, emergency response protocols, and modernized security technology; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to conduct a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures at Cambridge City Hall, which shall include an assessment of physical access controls, visitor screening practices, on-site security staffing and training, emergency response and evacuation protocols, and the use of security technologies such as surveillance systems and alarm monitoring; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with findings, recommended improvements, and a proposed implementation timeline subject to City Council approval for this enhanced safety plan no later than 90 days from now.

In City Council January 26, 2026. Adopted by a yea and nay vote:-

Yeas 7; Nays 1; Present 1; Absent 0.-

Attest:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane

Interim City Clerk