Parking ban labeled limp security

Permanent no-parking signs would replace the unstable barriers around Cape Girardeau's federal building under a federal plan to protect it from terrorists.

Police chief Steve Strong and others affected by the lack of parking question the necessity of the current parking ban. They wonder how much of a deterrent the current orange-and-white barriers or proposed no-parking signs would be if someone was determined to damage to the building.

The current barriers block about 25 parking spaces along Broadway and Fountain. Four of those parking places are in front of the Zimmer Radio Group building and the vacant Marquette Hotel.

Both buildings are across the street from the federal building. Barriers also deny parking on the east side of Fountain, right in front of Christ Episcopal Church.

However, a Union Planters Bank drive-through located just a few feet west of the federal building remains in operation. The Union Planters' parking lot behind the bank and adjacent to the federal building also remains open.

One parking space marked for handicapped access along Fountain Street remains available for use at the northeast corner of the building.

"If someone was intent, they could pull up in a car, get out and run or just sit in it," Strong said. "The department understands the need for security, alertness and preparedness. However, this is Cape Girardeau and there are some unique situations."

Strong noted that the federal building is in a business district where parking was limited already.

" You need to assess the actual threat level to the area," he said. "Does it need the same level of protection as the one in St. Louis or New York City?"

No one at the federal building in Cape Girardeau would comment on security matters. Instead, a security worker referred questions to authorities in the General Services Administration in Kansas City.

Bond Faulwell, a deputy regional administrator at the GSA, said in a best-case scenario, the area around the building would be totally secure. But the government can't tell a private business like Union Planters what to do with its property, he said.

"We're trying to work to make the building as secure as we can while walking a fine line as to not impact commerce," Faulwell said. "Most of our federal buildings were built in an era when we were not concerned about terrorism."

Faulwell said the security officers -- who often patrol the building perimeters -- immediately inspect any vehicle that parks in the handicap spot.

Barbara Kistner, director of federal protective service for the GSA, said the barriers provide reasonable security measures and added that the areas on the west side of the building are being closely monitored with federal court security officers and surveillance cameras.

"If a truck pulled into a bank driveway, we would check on it," Kistner said. "But if a truck pulled up to park on a street in front of the building, that wouldn't look as suspicious."

Kistner wouldn't go into security details but said security measures are in place to recognize potential problems on that side of the building.

Faulwell said Cape Girardeau's new federal building, which will not be completed until at least 2005, will be built with security in mind.

Strong said he hopes the city and U.S. Marshals Service, which provides security at the federal building, could come to a compromise on the current parking situation. Strong, who plans to meet with a Marshal Service representative soon, said he would suggest prohibiting parking on the side of the street closest to the building, but allow parking across the street.

Mixed reactions

Kara Lyons, who works in U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office, said she is not concerned about safety.

"We have great security downstairs, and we have safety meetings, so they've got everything under control," Lyons said.

She also said lack of parking has not been a problem. She parks in a gated, secure lot behind the building.

"I never parked in the street anyway because I don't want my car to get hit," she said.

Other federal employees, asking they not be identified, said the lack of parking has been an inconvenience, especially when court is in session.

The Rev. Bob Towner, pastor of Christ Episcopal Church, said he has seen federal employees park their cars in a nearby apartment building's private parking lot and walk to work.

Joan Seabaugh, assistant vice president at Union Planters Bank, said the bank has not been affected much by the no-parking signs.

She said she has noticed some federal employees parking in the bank's lot, but they "always stay to the side and leave room for our customers. We haven't had a problem."

Business, church affected

While the federal government is trying to keep its building and employees protected, an area business and the church are being negatively affected.

"That's really had a terrible impact on us," said Towner. "We don't have a parking lot and that street parking on Sunday morning is essential. Twenty to 25 spaces are not available."

Towner said his church members park wherever they can, sometimes two or three blocks away.

Dr. Charles Balsamo, a member of the church, said he doesn't mind the walk.

"But there are a lot of people in the church who can't move as well as I can," he said.

Terry Hester, station manager at Zimmer Radio, said he wonders how effective the barriers really are.

"We're extremely sensitive to the security issue," Hester said. "But I don't think the barriers make much difference. If someone wanted to do some damage, they could do it from the bank parking lot. This is an inconvenience for us, our customers and our advertisers. And frankly, they're an eyesore."

Towner agreed.

"Those barriers wouldn't even keep a casual terrorist away," he said.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127