Wisconsin Rapids May Install Extra Signs at City Hall After Viral Video

Tuesday, June 28th, 2022 -- 10:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) The City of Wisconsin Rapids is looking at installing some extra signs in their city hall after a viral video brought negative attention to the county this month.

According to Mike Leischner of WSAU, Mayor Shane Blaser says everyone should know that the building is a place they can feel welcome to do business. “We welcome any guests at our City Hall. Yes, we’re open for business and we’re able to answer any questions.”

But there are certain areas that need extra security, like places where money is kept and the information/technology areas. “The public really doesn’t need to be in those areas and those probably should be a little more secure because of the value of equipment and servers and those types of things."

"There could be some better signage on some doors leading into some work areas that are not open to the public. But, for the most part, I think we’re set pretty well here.”

He says it also serves as a reminder to all employees that dealing with the public is at the top of their job descriptions. “I think it’s getting them to realize and understand that that is just the nature of being a public employee.”

This all comes after a pair of YouTubers stopped at a county office building in Rapids earlier this month to film areas of the building that were open to the public, but became confrontational after they were informed that they had shot two patents that were in the waiting room of a county clinic, which violates health privacy protocol.

The group claimed they were conducting a "first amendment audit" of the building, and that they had a right to be in the area despite the fact that it was a waiting room and not a public space.

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