Vice Mayor Arserio Proposes Added Security at Margate Commission Meetings

by David Volz September 21, 2025

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Open carry

Vice Mayor Antonio Arserio brought up the question of enhanced safety during meetings at the September 17 meeting.

He suggested that it might be a good idea to have an officer at the door of the commission chambers and possibly use a wand to determine whether a person is carrying a weapon.

Changes in gun laws and recent political violence have caused concern among commissioners. Arserio said he does not want the security to be at the level of airports, where people must remove their shoes and all items from their pockets, but he would like it to be at the level of football games, where if someone is found to have a weapon, they would be asked to leave.

City manager Cale Curtis said he would meet with the city attorney and police leadership to determine the best approach to enhanced security at meetings. Currently, a Margate police officer is on duty during commission meetings.

Mayor Arlene Schwartz said she is disappointed at the increased level of violence involving political disputes and hoped that people could respect those with different points of view.

Commissioner Tommy Ruzzano described a situation where he was harassed because he was on the commission, but said he did not want a strong security presence at meetings.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.