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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-15-1998 - 2bW 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 officials. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the incident and to set general direction of what security measures should be taken next. As I indicated earlier, we have options on what steps to take next. One suggestion might be to locate Sheriffs Deputies in the facility to conduct patrol at varying times of the day. These people would not be attached to a court, since the bailiff must be in the courtroom when court proceedings are going forward. A more elaborate option might be: • To establish two points of entry into the courthouse. One at the Margaret Lane entrance and one at the elevator entrance. • To staff each location with metal detectors. (One entrance could use the free standing metal detector device, the other would need to use a deputy with a hand held metal detectors. • When the entrant has been "passed" by the Deputy, they will be given a brightly colored adhesive round badge, which reads Orange County Visitor". This badge must be displayed on their lapel at all times while in the courthouse. • For those persons who routinely visit the courthouse for business purposes, a permanent badge may be purchased. The process proposed for this is as follows: • A form is developed by ans3 sa~bmitted to the Orange County Risk Manager (L)irector of Purchasing and Cer~lrai Services). • Information needed for approval would include, but may not be limited to the following: • Personal information (Name, address, phone number) • Reason for frequenting the Courthouse. • Name of business affiliation. • Release to do a criminal background check. • The Risk Manager, in conjunction with the Sheriffs Department and others as deemed appropriate would complete the application process and advise the applicant when the permanent badge could be picked up. • When the applicant came to pick up their badge in the offices of Purchasing and Central Services, their photo would be taken, the badge laminated and issued. • The proposed one time fee for a permanent badge is $20 for the first badge; $10 for any replacements. These two options may represent both ends of the spectrum. I hope however, that they will prove to be good "talking points" for our meeting on Thursday. If I can provide additional information I of course, would be glad to do so. Just give me a calf. Thanks. 2 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Stephen H. Halkiotis, County Commissioner DATE: September 15, 1998 SUBJECT: ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT EFLAND CHEEKS RECREATION CENTER - Pursuant to the suggestion I made on September 1, 1998 at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, I recommend that we set up a task force to study the feasibility of locating a community Sheriff's office at the Efland Cheeks Community Center. This office could be freestanding or attached to the current facility. This offers a wonderful opportunity to show the Efland Community our support of their efforts in community policing and in their community watch program in which they have actively been involved. It would also give them a feeling of security knowing that deputies would be in the area. The development of the new Efland Cheeks Community Park seems to be a natural fit for this concept. The community Sheriff's office at the Ruritan Club in Cedar Grove serves as a place for the Sheriff to have such a presence in the Cedar Grove area and it also provides to those who use this building a feeling of security knowing that deputies are coming and going from this building all the time. The space needed would be a small office with a telephone, bathroom facilities and two parking spaces. I will be glad to serve with the Sheriff on this task force. I feel that time is of the essence because of the expansion of the park facilities at this community center. I ask for your endorsement of this task force. In addition to myself and the Sheriff, I recommend that there be a representative from the recreation and parks board or the Director, two members of the community and a representative from the Orange County schools. I will be glad to convene the Task Force and bring back a recommendation to the County Commissioners by early December. Thank you.