« Ind. Decisions - Oral argument before the 7th Circuit this week in challenge to Indiana's anti- Automated Dialing Machine law | Main | Ind.Decisions - Still more on "Gay-rights article stirs debate over student freedoms" »

Friday, April 06, 2007

Ind. Courts - More on: Johnson County resident not fond of courthouse security measures

Re this ILB entry yesterday on a Johnson County resident unhappy with the new Courthouse security meanures, whose comments in a letter to the editor included "What do they think this is, the Pentagon?" -- readers of the Johnson County Daily Journal responded:

Better safe than sorry. I'm sure no one likes all the security, but in today's world it has to be that way. Just like the officers in Greenwood who were stopping that car for routine speeding. (Greenwood police officer Eric McElhaney) had no idea he was going to get shot. So I'm all for (the security measures). Everyone is protected. You read every so often that someone goes off in the courtroom and starts shooting. Hopefully that will never happen in Johnson County, but who would have thought (the police shooting) would happen in Greenwood. Morgan County and Bartholomew County have had security in place for some time.

Check out other counties. I think it would be a great idea for you to contact the officials of Johnson County to explain why they chose to implement a security system in the courthouse. As an employee of the county, I think it is a great idea to ensure the safety of the public, judges and other employees of this county. As most know, Johnson County has burglaries, threats and murders just like every other county in Indiana and around the country. Yes, all of the prisoners are escorted upstairs in handcuffs, but the definition of a criminal is not someone in stripes, handcuffs and shackles.

I would much rather have to walk around a building in the cold to be checked like everyone else instead of having someone be able to walk right in with some type of weapon. As for hiring an $8 security guard instead of a uniformed police officer, I would rather have a police officer who knows exactly what to do in an emergency situation. Maybe the individual who is so concerned about her purse being searched should check out the security measures of other counties. She might see that we are comparable if not less invasive.

World has changed. I’ve not personally visited the courthouse since the new security measures were put in place, but two thoughts come to mind regarding the writer’s comments. I don’t believe they thought there were issues at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse in Lafayette until someone tried to drive a car into it a few years ago. And memory fails me, but weren’t there explosives or guns involved in that occurrence? Also, didn’t they tighten security in Atlanta after someone shot a few people in court? It's sad to say, but it is not the same world it was a few years ago, no matter where you live.

And, as the ILB added yesterday, check out this list of earlier ILB entries on courthouse security to get an idea of how Indiana counties are addressing security issues.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on April 6, 2007 12:56 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts