Why Is Waterford Town Hall On High Alert?

The federal Department of Homeland Security's current threat level for the United States is yellow, or elevated. Yet at Waterford Town Hall, since Sept. 20, the threat level has been cranked up a notch to orange, or high. Why?

"It had a lot to do with that shooting in Manchester, at the Budweiser distributor," First Selectman Dan Steward said, referring to an Aug. 3 shooting in Manchester in which Omar Thorton, a disgruntled former employee, killed eight men before killing himself. "We need to step up our security levels."

Steward had an investigation done in September by the Waterford Police Department. The department found several issues with town security, such as nobody monitoring who was coming in and out of the building, Steward said.

"We've been asking people more questions, and are locking doors more," Steward said. "We just want people safe. If people get hurt at work, that isn't good."

Town Hall has two main entrances. The building will likely be altered so it only has one entrance, the first selectman said.

The Human Resources office is the most guarded, with the office's door always locked. Workers inside the office have a key, which they bring with them when they leave so they can get back in.

"We have to worry about disgruntled employees," Steward said, without saying if any town employees had been fired recently. Personnel records are exempt from the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act.

Signs about the higher threat level are throughout Town Hall, and at both entrances to the building.

The orange status means a high risk of terrorist attack, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Yellow, the current status for the country, means an elevated risk of terrorist attack, according to the department.

A receptionist sits at one of the main entrances, asking people why they are coming to Town Hall. The Waterford Police Department has been monitoring the building more closely as well, Steward said.

"This is about safety," Steward said. "You don't take chances with safety."

No other town employee would comment on the heightened status, all deferring to the first selectman.