Jeannette council OKs panic buttons for City Hall

Panic security buttons will be installed inside Jeannette City Hall after council approved the measure Thursday in a 3-2 vote.

Council authorized spending no more than $8,000 for Morgantown Security and Fire to install the buttons, as well as smoke detectors.

“I’m excited that it passed,” said Mayor Curtis Antoniak. “I’m very excited about putting the panic buttons in there and the fire alarm. I think it’s needed.”

Antoniak brought up the issue during a January council meeting after an unnerving situation was reported by the administrative assistant, Andrea M. Beneke.

Beneke said last month that a person came into her office at the South Second Street building, shut her door and demanded to speak with her. She reopened the door, but the person closed it again, she said.

Defunct foot pedals that once served as panic buttons remain in some city offices, but buttons that had been installed underneath desks were removed when City Hall was renovated. The foot pedals had been hardwired when they were installed to connect with the police department, but those wires were cut during the remodel.

The buttons will be installed in most rooms at City Hall, including council chambers, city manager Ethan Keedy said.

If a button is pushed, an alarm would sound in the police secretary’s office. If the secretary were not available, the alarm would go to 911, he said.

Council members Chad Krawtz and Michelle Langdon opposed the measure.