Knimrod
03-28-2006, 10:36 PM
County looks at beefing up courthouse security
Official says changes may cost as much as $500,000
March 28, 2006
By SHANNON MURPHY
Port Huron Times Herald
Right now, the only thing stopping anyone from coming into the St. Clair County Courthouse in Port Huron with a weapon is a sign.
The sign, hanging on the front door of the downtown building and posted throughout the inside of the courthouse reads, "No weapons are permitted in this courthouse. All persons and parcels are subject to a search for weapons and restricted items as condition of entry. Persons in violation of this order may be held in contempt of court."
County officials said the sign isn't good enough - a knife and a pistol have been taken off visitors in recent weeks. They want to see security changes made at the courthouse, as well as at the district court building in Marine City.
County Administrator Shaun Groden has told the county Board of Commissioners he has a plan to beef up security. Changes include staffing metal detectors that now sit mostly idle, as well as locking the courthouse's back door to the public.
"This is serious business that goes on in court, people shouldn't feel they have to pass through a complicated security maze," Groden said. "By the same token, we have to make sure we protect the citizens and employees from acts of violence."
Spending on improved security has been proposed but pulled out of county government budgets because of deficits. Groden's plans could cost as much as $500,000. He doesn't know where the county will get the money.
Shawn Thornton, 28, of Port Huron said the courthouse needs something more than bailiffs and police officers, who are mainly stationed in courtrooms.
"Some people don't want to get locked up," he said. "You need something besides the police, because they're in court and busy doing other stuff."
Recent problems
Judge Cynthia Platzer has talked to county commissioners about the need for more security.
Platzer, who is chief judge of the district court, said last month a man at the courthouse for probation monitoring was discovered to have a large knife on him. About two weeks later, in early March, another man in court for a hearing brought in a gun, which he'd kept in the back of his pants, Platzer said.
Bailiffs disarmed both men without incident.
"I'm concerned for the safety of our employees," Platzer said, adding many people coming to court aren't happy to be there and could be tempted to harm someone.
"Anything can happen under those circumstances," she said.
Groden plans to bring his security proposal to the county board next month.
Both courthouses have metal detectors, but they're not used. Groden would like to add a small atrium to the front of the Port Huron courthouse to house the detectors and security guards to operate them.
The back door of the courthouse would be closed to the public, and handicap parking would be moved so it was closer to the front of the building.
Current plans don't include inmate holding cells, which Groden intends to add at a later date. Inmates waiting to appear in court are housed in the old county jail next door on Bard Street.
Oria Mosely, 23, of Port Huron was at court last week to testify in a civil matter. She's been in the courthouse several times, but has never felt nervous about the lack of security. She said, however, better security is not a bad idea.
"People do get upset, maybe not liking their verdict," she said.
Past tries
Courthouse security has been a topic of discussion for several years.
In 1998, county officials made major renovations to the courthouse in Port Huron. A panel of judges made a list of security concerns, which included weapon screening, limiting public access to the main door and providing better security for inmate transport. The renovations never addressed security concerns.
In 2003, former county Commissioner Thomas Reilly proposed $300,000 in increased security. The money was dropped from the county budget in 2004 and 2005 as part of cost-cutting efforts.
Funding improved security is an issue for a county that in 2007 faces a $1.5 million budget deficit. This year, 17 jobs were eliminated to cut costs.
Costs to staff the metal detectors and X-ray machines at the Port Huron and Marine City courthouses will cost between $300,000 and $500,000. Groden is getting cost estimates on minor construction work to build an atrium to house the equipment.
"That's money I have to add to the budget," he said, adding security is a priority despite budget shortfalls. "The possibility of an event being repeated is not something we can tolerate."
Link to story (http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060328/NEWS01/603280301/1002)
Official says changes may cost as much as $500,000
March 28, 2006
By SHANNON MURPHY
Port Huron Times Herald
Right now, the only thing stopping anyone from coming into the St. Clair County Courthouse in Port Huron with a weapon is a sign.
The sign, hanging on the front door of the downtown building and posted throughout the inside of the courthouse reads, "No weapons are permitted in this courthouse. All persons and parcels are subject to a search for weapons and restricted items as condition of entry. Persons in violation of this order may be held in contempt of court."
County officials said the sign isn't good enough - a knife and a pistol have been taken off visitors in recent weeks. They want to see security changes made at the courthouse, as well as at the district court building in Marine City.
County Administrator Shaun Groden has told the county Board of Commissioners he has a plan to beef up security. Changes include staffing metal detectors that now sit mostly idle, as well as locking the courthouse's back door to the public.
"This is serious business that goes on in court, people shouldn't feel they have to pass through a complicated security maze," Groden said. "By the same token, we have to make sure we protect the citizens and employees from acts of violence."
Spending on improved security has been proposed but pulled out of county government budgets because of deficits. Groden's plans could cost as much as $500,000. He doesn't know where the county will get the money.
Shawn Thornton, 28, of Port Huron said the courthouse needs something more than bailiffs and police officers, who are mainly stationed in courtrooms.
"Some people don't want to get locked up," he said. "You need something besides the police, because they're in court and busy doing other stuff."
Recent problems
Judge Cynthia Platzer has talked to county commissioners about the need for more security.
Platzer, who is chief judge of the district court, said last month a man at the courthouse for probation monitoring was discovered to have a large knife on him. About two weeks later, in early March, another man in court for a hearing brought in a gun, which he'd kept in the back of his pants, Platzer said.
Bailiffs disarmed both men without incident.
"I'm concerned for the safety of our employees," Platzer said, adding many people coming to court aren't happy to be there and could be tempted to harm someone.
"Anything can happen under those circumstances," she said.
Groden plans to bring his security proposal to the county board next month.
Both courthouses have metal detectors, but they're not used. Groden would like to add a small atrium to the front of the Port Huron courthouse to house the detectors and security guards to operate them.
The back door of the courthouse would be closed to the public, and handicap parking would be moved so it was closer to the front of the building.
Current plans don't include inmate holding cells, which Groden intends to add at a later date. Inmates waiting to appear in court are housed in the old county jail next door on Bard Street.
Oria Mosely, 23, of Port Huron was at court last week to testify in a civil matter. She's been in the courthouse several times, but has never felt nervous about the lack of security. She said, however, better security is not a bad idea.
"People do get upset, maybe not liking their verdict," she said.
Past tries
Courthouse security has been a topic of discussion for several years.
In 1998, county officials made major renovations to the courthouse in Port Huron. A panel of judges made a list of security concerns, which included weapon screening, limiting public access to the main door and providing better security for inmate transport. The renovations never addressed security concerns.
In 2003, former county Commissioner Thomas Reilly proposed $300,000 in increased security. The money was dropped from the county budget in 2004 and 2005 as part of cost-cutting efforts.
Funding improved security is an issue for a county that in 2007 faces a $1.5 million budget deficit. This year, 17 jobs were eliminated to cut costs.
Costs to staff the metal detectors and X-ray machines at the Port Huron and Marine City courthouses will cost between $300,000 and $500,000. Groden is getting cost estimates on minor construction work to build an atrium to house the equipment.
"That's money I have to add to the budget," he said, adding security is a priority despite budget shortfalls. "The possibility of an event being repeated is not something we can tolerate."
Link to story (http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060328/NEWS01/603280301/1002)