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Local News - July 2002 |
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Sheriff seeks funds to secure courthouse By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer July 8, 2002 - Lincoln County Sheriff Barbara Pickens wants to improve security at the courthouse. And if the county receives this year’s Local Law Enforcement Block Grant, that’s how it will be used. Pickens asked commissioners July 1 to adopt a resolution to apply for the grant, which equals $18,468. A county match of $2,052 would be required. Criteria for the LLEBG dictates that if received, it must be used for “enhancing security measures … in and around other facilities or locations that the unit of government considers special risks for incidents of crime.” Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution to apply. This year Pickens and a committee formed to examine LLEBG possibilities have focused on the courthouse. Since the building was built in the early 1920s, problems might exist and may be difficult to fix. “We’ve been real lucky,” Pickens said. A security survey will be conducted this summer. Specific problems will be identified, and plans to improve upon them will be analyzed. One idea Pickens has is to move county offices from the courthouse to the former Bank of America building across the street, so the courthouse could be designated strictly for court business. Pickens noted that these ideas are preliminary and will not be official until the Sheriff’s Office finds out whether the grant will be awarded. For the past two years, the grant has been received and used for security purposes at local high schools. Security cameras should be installed in both West Lincoln and Lincolnton high schools before the beginning of the next school year. While the $18,468 may seem like a small amount of money, every little bit is important when dealing with security issues, Pickens said. “It really is a big help,” she said. If the grant is awarded, Pickens hopes to start work on the courthouse and continue each year until it is done. Her focus is on enhancing security throughout the next few years. Pickens said she will find out if Lincoln County receives the grant sometime in the next several months.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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