It seems safety is on the minds of residents everywhere nowadays, whether you’re driving through your neighborhood or going on a lengthy journey.

For many years, security measures have been established pretty much everywhere we go – many in response to major incidents and disasters – from airports, to hospitals, to even grocery stores. One of the more visible examples is when we visit our governmental offices, whether we’re greeted by a security guard watching a bank of monitors or made to walk through a scanning system.

The City of Weirton is taking some new measures in an effort to further protect those visiting the Weirton Municipal Building, but, especially, those who work there.

City council, last week, unanimously approved a resolution to purchase new metal detector scanners and hand-held detectors, at a cost of $29,957, thus adding a new layer of security to the building which opened in the 1970s.

Yes, there are cameras installed throughout the building, and the facility also is home to the Weirton Police Department, but that doesn’t necessarily prevent people from bringing items which could present a hazard or danger to others inside.

Quite frankly, we’re surprised it hasn’t been done sooner, especially when local courthouses, schools and other government facilities in our area have had similar measures for years.

The new detector units should only provide a minor inconvenience, with people walking in between the pillars as they enter the building.

Weirton officials have noted plans for additional security are in the works, so we’ll see what else they have in mind when the time comes.