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Monday, August 04, 2008
Ind. Courts - Security will be beefed up at the East Chicago courthouse
Lori Caldwell of the Gary Post-Tribune writes today:
Every hearing for a protective order has potential for an emotional, sometimes hostile confrontation.The victims seeking court-ordered solace from an abuser must make their request in public, before a judge, and often, with the abuser in the same room.
For Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin D. Hawkins, these cases pose a danger for himself, his staff and every member of the public at the East Chicago courthouse.
"With the volume of work we are getting, there needs to be someone to make sure people are orderly," Hawkins said.
For several weeks, he and Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez corresponded regarding what Hawkins said was a shortage of deputies in the building.
"Court filings were down drastically here prior to my arrival, now they have drastically gone up," Hawkins said.
This year Hawkins has presided over more than 100 protective orders, while there were none filed in his court in 2007.
Dominguez and Hawkins met last week and agreed on changes that will increase security in and around the courthouse.
"We added security without additional employees to the payroll," Dominguez said. * * *
"We're living in a different world. Rather than wait for something to happen and then say it's a tragedy, I thought it was important to address this now," Hawkins said.
"The sheriff's office is more sensitized to that," he added.
Hawkins said he has also discussed security issues with Mayor George Pabey.
"Now, periodically, there is police presence above and beyond what we already have. I am extremely appreciative," Hawkins said. The judge said he will attend a seminar on court security next month.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 4, 2008 08:18 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts