Brookhaven Town Hall to add security to third floor

Brookhaven has reinstituted an old policy to have security outside Town Hall’s third floor elevator.

Town officials said they are taking a proactive move to maintain order for residents who walk or catch the elevator to the third level.

That floor is home to Supervisor Edward P. Romaine’s office along with other council chambers, public information, purchasing, payroll, the law department and parking violations bureau.

Before the loosely-governed policy was reemphasized, anyone walking the building could freely walk around the third floor without being stopped.

Four to five public safety officers patrol Town Hall during business hours.

Employees walking around the third floor must wear a visible work badge. Visitors need photo identification from Town Hall’s first floor front desk before being allowed access upstairs.

Under the administration of former Town Supervisor Mark Lesko, public safety officers maintained a presence on the third floor and didn’t allow residents to pass through the hallway leading to council offices without first having received a phone call and proper identification.

That ended a few years ago when Brookhaven had layoffs.