Those attending public meetings at the Lackawanna County Administration Building may bring and use their cellphones, Sheriff Mark McAndrew clarified Monday.
Calling it an issue of safety and security, McAndrew unilaterally implemented policy earlier this year requiring all who enter the Administration Building — with exceptions for judges, employees, law enforcement officials and certain others — to lock their cellphones in portable sleeves that sheriff’s deputies unlock when guests leave the building.
The policy barred people from using their phones to record, broadcast or take notes at public meetings held at the building and, as such, violated the state’s Sunshine Act, Commissioner Laureen Cummings argued. Read more…