From Staff Reports

Just days after a gunman in Kirkwood, Mo., killed five people and seriously wounded the town’s mayor during a public meeting, Asheville City Council discussed ways to improve security at City Hall.

Metal detectors and other security upgrades were discussed during council’s Feb. 12 meeting, five days after the deadly shooting in Kirkwood.

The discussion was triggered in part by the shooting at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center on July 23. Police on Feb. 1 arrested Tilman DeAngelo Jackson, 21, in the case, alleging that he opened fire on a crowd attending a basketball game at the city-owned recreational center. Three people were injured in the attack.

Since then, security has been increased at the city’s recreation centers, with police officers stationed at the doors and identification checks implemented.

Betty Coulter, Asheville risk manager, said that the committee that she heads is considering implementing hand-held or other metal detectors at the entrances to City Hall.

The Buncombe County Courthouse next door already requires that visitors pass through a metal detector and that their bags be checked with an x-ray machine, similar to those used at airports.

The city safety committee has been allotted $85,000 for the improvements and must present a report to council on March 1.

Meanwhile, the Asheville Police Department has begun posting more uniformed officers in City Hall, especially during council meetings, and lighting in the parking lot has been improved.

In other action, council voted 4-3 against holding public hearings on issues related to voting, such as district elections, campaign finance reform and instant-runoff voting.

Council members Robin Cape, Holly Jones and Brownie Newman voted in favor of the hearings.