Agenda - 09-15-1998 - 2b - Laserfiche WebLink

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W Memorandum TO: John Link, County Manager From: Pam Jones, Director of Purchasing and Central Services RE: Security measures in the Courthouse Date: September 15, 1998 With the incident in the Courthouse yesterday we will no doubt have discussions about security measures in the facility. It might be helpful to remind ourselves where we've been with these matters: ➢ The #1 threat nationwide has been directed toward Court officials. We have therefore, focused much of our effort in this area. For example: • The District Court Judge's offices were relocated to the top floor. Previously they had been on the first floor where security was almost impossible to achieve. Their offices have been outfitted with closed circuit monitors, which are monitored by the Judge's Clerk. Access is allowed through a buzzer on the main door, which is operated by the Judge's Clerk. • The Jury Lounge has been developed for the comfort and security of jurors and the Jury Clerk who staffs the position. Doors were modified to allow visual observation of the lobby and restroom area by the Jury Clerk. The restrooms were originally locked and were designated for jury use only in an effort to.insure the jury pool was not contaminated by contact with the general population. • Parking has been relocated for Judges and the spaces have been numbered as opposed to "Judges" designation. This seemed to minimize the amount of damage being inflicted upon Judge's vehicles. As you are well aware, we have taken care to collaborate with the Court officials regarding security. While we have responsibility for the buildings, we cannot require operational measures to be followed. It is therefore essential that court officials buy into any safety measures we propose. Some of the safety measures that have been considered over the past months include: ♦ Moving toward a single or dual point of entry, where you may only enter the Courthouse via certain doors. ♦ Installation of a metal detection device which each person must pass through before entering the building. ♦ A badge system in which each person in the courthouse is identified according to the purpose for which they may be in the building. ♦ Increased patrol of the Sheriffs Deputies in the courthouse at varying times of day. ♦ Designating specific waiting areas for the members of the public in order to limit access to areas such as jury rooms, attorney conference rooms, judge's chambers, etc. ♦ Screening mail especially packages, coming into the courthouse. Since yesterday's incident at the Courthouse involving the rape and st hbing of a Durham paralegal it seems prudent to move forward with +hp :'lsc�,-ssions immediately. To that end, we have suggested a meeting at 1:30 p-ro. c:^ Thursday among court