York City mayor requests police protection after comments
During her year in office, York City Mayor Kim Bracey has received several "inappropriate comments" that have "raised flags," according to York City Police Chief Wes Kahley.
The comments have resulted in police protection requests at certain public events, Kahley said last week. Since Bracey took office, she has requested police protection two or three times a month, Kahley said.
Neither Kahley nor Bracey would explain the comments, other than to say they are not threatening.
An officer provides protection by traveling with Bracey to and from the event, Kahley said. And while at the event, the officer stays "within close proximity" of her, Kahley said.
"It depends on the event and the size of the crowd. But
it's usually just one officer that goes with her," he said.KahleyThe police department does not bring in an extra officer to provide the protection, Kahley said. An on-duty officer will escort the mayor and will typically stay one to two hours, he said.
Protection: Bracey said she would prefer to not need the protection, but it's necessary because of the comments she has received and because her safety as the mayor is important.
"I would prefer a society where everyone is safe, where we wouldn't have to worry about anything," she said. "Unfortunately that's not the type of society we're living in today."
Bracey said she has not received any additional police protection since the Jan. 8 Arizona shooting rampage that killed six people and injured 14 others, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
"But if I could have it my way I would have it 24 hours a day," Bracey said. "And I've been told by city residents who believe that I should have protection all the time."
Former York City Mayor John Brenner said he did not request any police protection while in office. Bracey's situation is different, he said, because "we live in a different time."
"A U.S. congresswoman had an assassination attempt against her. A federal judge was killed. This is something that has really developed in recent years. It's just different today. And I would say that Mayor Bracey needs to do what's best for her," Brenner said.
York City Council President Genevieve Ray said she does not have an opinion on the matter, but said that "it's important the mayor is safe."
Councilwoman Toni Smith said she supports the mayor's protection service.
"Why shouldn't she? She's the mayor. You never know the type of people that are out there today. By doing what she's doing, she's preventing something bad from happening," Smith said.
-- Reach John Walk at 505-5439 or jwalk@york dispatch.com or follow on Twitter @ydcity.
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