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Thursday, October 11, 2007

Ind. Courts - "Courthouse security worries Huntington County workers"

Judy Fitzmaurice reports in the Huntington County Herald Press:

The County Commissioners have formed a committee to evaluate concerns over safety in the Courthouse.

At Monday's commissioners' meeting, several department heads voiced concerns about security measures at the Courthouse. While some steps have been taken to make the building safer, more is needed, said County Jail Commander Steve McIntyre, who spoke on behalf of other county employees.

Panic buttons were installed in all offices in the building several years ago, security cameras are in place, and metal detectors have been added to the entrances of all three courtrooms. But McIntyre said that is not enough.

“No office in the Courthouse is not at risk of people becoming hostile,” McIntyre said. “The threat is there for anybody who works at or visits the Courthouse.”

McIntyre suggested having everyone enter the building through one door as a security upgrade.

“The best thing to do is have a plan that limits Courthouse entrances and exits,” he said. “For safety, we should limit the access points into the Courthouse.”

McIntyre pointed out that most surrounding counties have already beefed up courthouse security.

“I'm asking you to look into whatever grants are available to accomplish this task,” he said. “We would prefer to be proactive rather than let something happen.”

Other counties have police officers - from either local law enforcement agencies or outside contractors - present during courthouses business hours, McIntyre noted.

Commissioners agreed that concerns should be addressed but said the county doesn't have the funds to do much now.

“Everybody's in agreement,” said Commissioner Richard Brubaker. “We know what we need, we just don't have the money to pay for it.”

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 11, 2007 01:07 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts