|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||||||
|
Editorial |
|||||||||
|
Make the Lincoln courthouse secure March 1, 2002 - It’s rather strange that Lincoln County law enforcement officers are training for unlikely terrorist attacks while ignoring a very real security threat in their own courthouse. Anyone remotely familiar with the kind of traffic that churns around a criminal courtroom and the tense emotions aroused during a trial should recognize the need for security. But for some reason — perhaps related to money and staff — Lincoln County has allowed this volatile situation to continue. County workers can cite numerous security breakdowns, the most recent evidenced by an escape from a basement magistrate’s office. The Feb. 20 escape of Jeremy Howard, 22, of Vale who had been taken before a magistrate on DWI charges, brought up some of the concerns about security. Howard was recaptured after about a 15-minute foot chase. County employees have confirmed incidents that clearly reflect a lack of security. There have been fights in the halls. Discarded drugs and other contraband have been found in the courthouse. A circuit breaker box was left open on the third floor of the courthouse next to the restrooms, inviting mischief. Clerk of Court Pam Huskey flatly admits it’s a big problem. “We have no security. None, zip, zero, absolutely no security in this courthouse,” said Huskey. “We have no cameras, no metal detectors, no officers, nothing.” This problem has been pointed out before. A 1996 study conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service made specific recommendations on courthouse security. We don’t need to wait until some crazed thug inflicts violence on citizens or county employees before providing the security that citizens and employees have a right to expect. This is not an issue that can await some distant budget deliberation or another study. The steps that need to be taken are obvious: Set up screening devices at or near the courtroom during court sessions; assign trained law enforcement officers bailiff duty during criminal trials; set up security cameras at strategic areas of the courthouse; restrict public access to areas where potentially dangerous individuals are detained; and make sure magistrate offices are properly policed and secured.
|
|||||||||
|
© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
|||||||||
|
||||||
|
