City Hall security guards may be targeted for layoffs
by Steve Marantz
Tuesday, April 1, 2003
Twelve City Hall security guards are on Mayor Thomas M. Menino's chopping block, even as Boston beefs up security amid terrorist threats during the war in Iraq, sources said.
The layoffs, needed to offset a $65 million cut in state aid for fiscal year 2004, will decimate the 26-member security guard contingent. The security team was beefed up after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and trained to operate X-ray machines and metal detectors, while saving approximately $300,000.
``Don't cut security - they need security in this building,'' said a security guard who declined to be named.
The Herald reported in May that City Hall security guards had barred dozens of visitors carrying knives and guns from entering the building.
The guards staff public entrances at Congress Street and City Hall Plaza. A guard also is assigned to an X-ray machine at the loading dock.
Sources said Municipal Police site officers could be transferred to City Hall to fill in for the laid-off security guards.
But if Municipal Police officers are moved to City Hall, other city buildings and parks will lose coverage, sources said.
The domino effect may affect Boston Housing Authority tenants, sources said, as 25 Municipal Police officers were shifted away from public housing duty yesterday.
Menino has said he will lay off 450 to 550 workers from city departments in addition to as many as 1,200 school department employees. Police officers and firefighters may be among those losing jobs.
Mayoral spokesman Dewayne Lehman said yesterday that ``everything is still on the table'' and targeted cuts won't be finalized until the end of the week.
by Steve Marantz
Tuesday, April 1, 2003
Twelve City Hall security guards are on Mayor Thomas M. Menino's chopping block, even as Boston beefs up security amid terrorist threats during the war in Iraq, sources said.
The layoffs, needed to offset a $65 million cut in state aid for fiscal year 2004, will decimate the 26-member security guard contingent. The security team was beefed up after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and trained to operate X-ray machines and metal detectors, while saving approximately $300,000.
``Don't cut security - they need security in this building,'' said a security guard who declined to be named.
The Herald reported in May that City Hall security guards had barred dozens of visitors carrying knives and guns from entering the building.
The guards staff public entrances at Congress Street and City Hall Plaza. A guard also is assigned to an X-ray machine at the loading dock.
Sources said Municipal Police site officers could be transferred to City Hall to fill in for the laid-off security guards.
But if Municipal Police officers are moved to City Hall, other city buildings and parks will lose coverage, sources said.
The domino effect may affect Boston Housing Authority tenants, sources said, as 25 Municipal Police officers were shifted away from public housing duty yesterday.
Menino has said he will lay off 450 to 550 workers from city departments in addition to as many as 1,200 school department employees. Police officers and firefighters may be among those losing jobs.
Mayoral spokesman Dewayne Lehman said yesterday that ``everything is still on the table'' and targeted cuts won't be finalized until the end of the week.