It will soon be a little harder to get into the provincial government administrative complex in Charlottetown as the province moves forward with plans to beef up security.
Alan Maynard, director of public works and planning, said the changes will bring security protocols at the government buildings up to the same level as other provinces.
"Pretty standard access control at the ground level," he said.
The increased security came about from a 2010 review a retired Charlottetown police officer completed for the government that contained 38 recommendations.
That review already led to changes in security at Province House where armed police officers, more guards and increased video surveillance watch over the legislature.
But while there is more scrutiny paid to who enters Province House, the general public has been able to enter buildings at the provincial government complex without reporting to anyone.
That will change when the province installs new turnstiles people will have to walk through to access any of the government offices at the administrative complex, which includes the Shaw, Jones and Sullivan buildings.
Maynard said once the new security measures are in place, there will be limited access to the buildings with only one entrance on each open to the public.
Staff will have access cards to allow them entry through some of the other doors that are currently open to the public, but will be locked once the changes are made.
Visitors will have to sign in with a commissionaire, provide identification and have someone in the building let them in.
Visitors will get a guest pass and a commissionaire will have to buzz them in.
Sensors on the turnstiles will open them automatically when people are leaving the buildings.
For staff, Maynard said they will carry ID cards and will be able to pass through the turnstiles with their cards.
The government is also installing new surveillance cameras.
"We've just upgraded it that's all," Maynard said.
The provincial government awarded the tender to Atlantic Alarm at a cost of $80,630 and Maynard said the hope is to have the new security measures in place this summer.
What a mature and intelligent contribution.