Underwire bras set off county building metal detectors

Advocate: Metal Detectors Too Sensitive

YUBA CITY, Calif. (AP) - A taxpayer advocate has complained to Sutter County supervisors that metal detectors at county buildings are so sensitive they are being set off by underwire bras.

Sutter County Taxpayers Association member Roberta Fletcher said the male security guard seemed to enjoy waving the handheld metal detector over her chest.

"It is, at a minimum, for a woman, embarrassing. And at a maximum, it is sexual harassment to hold your arms outstretched while a male officer waves a wand in front of your breasts," Fletcher told supervisors at their meeting Tuesday.

Sheriff Jim Denney said courthouse guards work for the court system, not the sheriff's department, but defended use of the metal detectors.

"That's the nature of the business - to maintain security," Denney told Fletcher. "I'm not going to answer any more absurd questions."

Fletcher also had little sympathy from board Chairman Larry Munger and other supervisors.

"I don't think it's harassment; it's protection," Munger said.

"Men just don't get it," Fletcher told the supervisors.