A temporary security checkpoint at the Pulaski County Courthouse last week has led county officials to once again call for a permanent solution. A special judge for a jury trial required that all visitors be scanned with metal detectors as they entered the building. Clerk JoLynn Behny pleaded with the county commissioners Tuesday to put security in place on a permanent basis, saying that county employees felt safe.
County officials have recently been researching staffing options. Sheriff Jeff Richwine said Tuesday that a system based on Cass County’s courthouse security schedule, which consists of one full-time and seven part-time staff members, could work in Pulaski County.
The sheriff felt that last week’s temporary security checkpoint went pretty smoothly. He noted that there were very few complaints from the public. But Richwine suggested that it might be helpful to put lockers in place, for items like cell phones, which were prohibited in the courtroom. There were also concerns that county employees weren’t always using the single point of entry.
The single point of entry is already in place, mainly to address safety concerns with the stairs and sidewalks surrounding the courthouse. But it was pointed out that it hasn’t been entirely successful in that regard, with one county official falling on the sidewalk last week. An increase in signage was also suggested, to help visitors find the open entrance on the lower level of the west side of the courthouse.
