Pulaski County officials continue working on plans to add a security checkpoint to the courthouse. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county commissioners Monday that he’s gotten information about Cass County’s security staffing.
“Down there, they’re using one full-time person and actually seven part-time,” Richwine explained. “And then what he does is he works closely with the courts, figures out what their busy days are, and when they’re going to have a trial or something, then he’ll schedule two part-time, and then days when they may not be anything, it might be him and a part-time.”
Richwine felt that the system could work in Pulaski County, if the county council approved the funding. In the past, he had proposed sharing officers between the jail and the courthouse. Meanwhile, county officials are looking into the possibility of getting funding for walk-through metal detectors from the Department of Homeland Security.
Commissioner Jerry Locke voiced his support for the security efforts. “Now’s the time to get the ball rolling,” he said. “If we have single point of entry, that would be time for the security, then, to fall into place.” But beyond the security checkpoint, Richwine said he’s also in favor of reconfiguring courthouse offices to limit access to the public, as proposed in the courthouse renovation plan.
In the meantime, Richwine said his department will implement temporary security measures for an upcoming court case. “It’s been a special judge, and she’s asked for security in the courtroom, security at the entrance to the courthouse,” the sheriff said. “So we’re going to try to cover that, but that’s going to be some overtime.” Officers will be scanning visitors using metal detector wands.
