The shootings at the Kirkwood City Council are causing many local cities and towns to re-evaluate their own security procedures.

When the new Harrisonburg City Council chambers were built, the city implemented several security features that would help ensure the safety of the public who come to voice their opinions. After this incident, city officials are checking over their security systems.

"You never know. You don't have any idea what may set one person off, you know," says Col. Don Harper, Harrisonburg Police Chief.

In the wake of a city council shooting in Missouri, city officials in Harrisonburg feel something like this incident could have happened anywhere.

"Unfortunately you could have all the protection and the detectors in the world, but if someone's determined to make something happen, you know it could happen," says Harrisonburg Mayor Rodney Eagle.

In the city's charter, it is required that the police chief be present at all city council meetings. While the council chambers are equipped with security measures, like closed-circuit monitoring, there is only so much the chief can do.

"All you can do is you just observe people, and if you identify something that may be out of the ordinary," says Harper.

Eagle says he feels safe at council meetings.

"I think one of the most important things at council meeting or wherever is know your surroundings, know what's around you and know the people around you," says Eagle. "I do find ourselves, all council members pretty well have a good sense of who is attending the meeting for the most part and why they're attending the meeting, and we make it our job to know that."

Police Chief Don Harper knows that even though incidents like this are rare, he's ready should the need arise.

"I feel prepared, but I'm not paranoid about it," says Harper.

While the council chambers doesn't have metal detectors, there are mixed reactions to putting such devices in because the mayor says he wants people to come and voice their opinions, but he doesn't want them to feel intimidated.