Protest Won't Change Council Security

There will be no additional security measures taken at City Hall during Baltimore City Council hearings following a protest by former Senator Theatre owner Tom Kiefaber.

Kiefaber stormed the dais in council chambers during the council’s meeting Monday. He then began reading complaints about legislation before the council, and at one point sat down on the dais and refused to leave.

Baltimore City police officers, which are stationed at the entrance to City Hall, eventually arrived in the fourth floor chambers. Police asked Kiefaber to leave, and he did so without incident and was not arrested.

Following the meeting, Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young was upset with the protest. At one point during a conversation in an elevator, he referenced the murder of Councilman Dominic M. Leone Sr. and the shooting of Councilman J. Joseph Curran Sr. in a temporary City Hall in 1976.

But Lester Davis, Young’s spokesman, said there would be no changes to security procedures for council meetings. He said the protest was an aberration.

“It was one individual that acted in a highly inappropriate manner,” Davis said.

Residents must have photo identification and pass through a metal detector before they can enter City Hall.