I walked through Burbank's new metal detector at the first of two recent town hall meetings on Feb. 28. It was a strange experience. At the time, I couldn't decide if I felt relief or concern about the device.

Also, there were two uniformed private security officers from the firm of Andrew International and a Burbank cop standing guard at the entrance to the Buena Vista Branch Library meeting room. All of this gave me a definite sense of heightened security.

While I stepped carefully through the metal detector under the watchful eyes of one security officer, the other searched through my large shoulder bag. The process went quickly and I was soon given the OK to join the more than 100 or so people in the meeting room.

Later on, I returned to the entrance to observe the security officers at work. Carlos and Miguel only gave me their first names. When I asked Carlos about his job he said simply that (the security officers) are "... here to keep everybody safe."

Burbank Community Assistance Coordinator Bob Kramer added an extra pair of eyes to the door security. Kramer is a multi-tasker. He greeted everyone who entered, offered yellow cards to fill out should you want to speak at the meeting, and he kept tabs on security.

My second encounter with the metal detector and its security team came at the March 4 Burbank City Council meeting. At one point, a security officer lifted my shoulder bag with a grimace, "What do you have in here, rocks?"

I assured him, everything in my heavy purse was non-lethal and vital. Still, the content of my handbag was searched before I was allowed to enter the City Council chamber.

My third metal detector check occurred at the second Burbank town hall meeting on March 8 at the same library location as the first one.

On this Saturday morning, an even larger turnout from the public than at the previous meeting and more private security personnel and Burbank police officers as well.

City Manager Mary Alvord took the emergency action to bring in the metal detector because of concerns about workplace violence and the appearance of some unruly speakers at Burbank City Hall meetings.

During a discussion about the metal detector, Alvord told me members of her staff had been "... afraid to come to work." She admitted she related to their fears and made no apologies for beefing up security.

"I'm not interested in being apart of tomorrow's headlines," she said.

The metal detector and extra security officers first showed up at the City Council meeting on Feb. 19. The extra security measures will be present at all meetings attended by council members. The reaction has been mixed.

City Council member David Gordon says, "I don't think it's necessary." Gordon believes all council meetings as well as town hall gatherings should be "open" to the public and the metal detector sends the wrong message.

At Saturday's town hall session, Burbank resident David Piroli complained during his allotted five minutes of speaking time that it was "... intimidating for people to go through a metal detector." His comment drew a spattering of applause from the packed room.

After the town hall meeting wrapped, I asked Mayor Marsha Ramos if she felt safer with the metal detector? "Absolutely," Mayor Ramos stated without hesitation. When I quizzed Vice-Mayor Dave Golonski, I got a two-part answer.

Golonski feels the metal detector creates a safer environment for everyone, still he says, "I hate it." He acknowledges, however, "I guess it is a necessary evil." After my experience, I find myself agreeing with Councilman Golonski's conclusion.

Burbank city officials plan to revisit the metal detector /extra security issue. It will be interesting to see how they resolve the matter.