The City Council of Staunton, Va., questionably used a terrorism provision to hold a secret meeting on gang activities. Using homeland security policies to hide non-terrorism information appears to be an increasing problem. Amendments to Virginia's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allow secret sessions if the information is related to terrorist activity. In this instance, the City Council held a closed session to discuss "particular investigative and other preventive initiatives regarding gang activity." City Manger, Bob Stripling, asserted that this closed session fell into that category because "some type(s) of gang activity are terrorism because you are terrorizing the public." This overly broad interpretation of the FOIA exemption, which grants the use of secrecy in limited circumstances, abuses the trust granted to the government. More and more often the government blocks public access to safety information in the name of security. Limitations were placed on these secrecy policies specifically to assure that only legitimate homeland security issues would be withheld and that other safety information would continue to be accessible to the public. "There is criminal gang activity within a few hundred miles of Staunton," the city's customer relations coordinator stated. "Although there does not appear to (be) a significant problem with such activities in or near the city at this time, it's only prudent for us to be prepared in case that situation changes." But Councilman Richard P. Bell disagreed, saying much of what was covered could have been safely disclosed. Other Council members agreed the issue should be opened to public discussion. This case brings into question how governments at all levels are using security issues to hide information of concern to the public.