LOS ANGELES (KNX) - Changes are being made to security at Los Angeles City Hall after police say a man snuck a dagger into the council chamber last Friday.
30-year-old Samson Tafolo was removed from Friday morning’s City Council meeting after disrupting a Cinco de Mayo presentation by Councilmember Kevin de León. While being escorted out of the chamber, he allegedly slammed the door closed, hitting a police officer.
Tafolo was arrested for battery on a police officer and disturbing a public meeting.
During the booking process, officers discovered that he had a small dagger hidden inside the handle of a hot pink comb, the Los Angeles Police Department said. He had apparently managed to sneak the knife through the metal detectors into the council chamber.
Tafolo was booked and released, but officers added an additional charge for possession of a deadly weapon. His next court date is set for June 2.
Loud protests have been commonplace at City Hall since October, when a recording leaked of several officials making racist remarks while attempting to manipulate the redistricting process in their own favor. De León has refused to resign for his role in the conversation.
So far this year, four protesters have been arrested in the council chamber, three for protesting against de León. This is the first time an arrested protester has been found in possession of a weapon.
“The security of this building’s been something I’ve been concerned about since I’ve been here, and that’s just an example as to why,” Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson told KNX. “Our city treats it like this is kind of a town hall, and we’re a big international metropolis now, and you have to have the security that’s commensurate with that.”
City Council President Bob Blumenfeld also expressed worries about the incident.
“It’s always concerning if people are bringing weapons into the council chamber. Things get very emotional here, people have very strong points of view, but that’s democracy and it needs to be safe as well,” he said.
KNX News’ Craig Fiegener reports that security protocols at City Hall are being reevaluated.
Update: The LAPD initially spelled the suspect's surname as Tefolo. It has been corrected to Tafolo.
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