Posted: 5/3/05
Judge seeks better courtroom security
Use of private firm raises questions
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
County commissioners heard more concerns about courtroom security at their April 25 meeting.
Sheriff Mike Lee has talked to the board twice in recent months about the need to have a deputy assigned to the courtroom.
Last week it was Third District Judge James Fabian and court administrator Darlene Larson who brought up the subject.
Fabian said he was not aware that Lee was going to talk to the board about security.
The majority of counties that he has worked in have some form of security, Fabian said. He mentioned a trial that brought problems in the court administration and social services department.
You never know what can happen, Fabian said. ìI think itís something that needs to be addressed.î
A metal detector is used on Mondays during traffic court, but not during family court, Fabian said.
The courtroom is also equipped with cameras that record activity in the courtroom and in hallways throughout the building. These are monitored at two locations in the sheriffís office, and at the court administratorís office.
Larson said that security is a concern not only in the courtroom, but outside it, even into the parking lot. She mentioned a disturbance that had occurred on April 21 there.
Commissioner Larry Graf said that he had liability concerns with the fact that there was no type of courtroom security. But he said that he doesnít want to see the courthouse become a prison where a person can hardly get in or out.
Private firm discussed
Winona County uses a private company called Premiere Security for its courtroom security, Fabian said. ìThey really provide a pretty good service,î he said.
Premiere charges $15.37 per hour and provides its own benefits, Fabian said.
Commissioner Dave Corcoran said that a private company was a better way to go. ìThat is the job the person will do and that is what theyíre committed to,î he said.
Chief deputy Ken Frank responded that a deputy assigned to courtroom security would have that as his job. Things like serving papers would come on off days, Frank said.
It is the sheriffís responsibility, and that is why the sheriffís department would want to train its own person, Frank added.
He said the county is required by statute to hire security from the sheriffís department. Commissioner Kevin Kelleher asked Frank to provide him with the statute.
Fabian said he would like to see the sheriffís department put a plan together to see what it would cost.
Larson said she will give the board a copy of a minimum security plan from district court that judges came up.
ìI donít think thereís any question that we have to move in this direction,î Kelleher said.
ìBut to what degree?î Graf asked.
Board members also requested a meeting with Premiere Security.
Highway department news
In other business, the board approved a request from highway department maintenance foreman Tom Molling to lease a motor grader. The county is down to two graders after the 1983 one broke down, Molling said. Repairs would be $12,000- $14,000, with no guarantee of how long they would last, Molling said. A new grader costs about $140,000, less trade-in on the old one, which is appraised at $15,000. Molling suggested the lease idea, with the county having an option to buy it when there is money in next yearís budget.
County engineer Allen Henke told the board that he was working on securing the right of way for replacing the bridge on County Road 249 just west of Little Miami. A bypass will be constructed.
Other business
ï The board approved a new two-year Sentence to Serve (STS) contract with the Minnesota Department of Corrections. It went up by $1,394.50 to $33,894.50. STS crews do work for different agencies such as the county, cities, township, and the Department of Natural Resources.
ï The county approved an amended property tax abatement agreement with Loken Auto, Inc. It is for a hotel that is being built in Houston. Plans were to have the hotel completed in 2004. Kelleher said the motel is almost done now.
ï The county approved a family home visiting contract with the Houston County Family Services Collaborative for July 1-December 31, 2005 for $13,000. The visits are done through the county public health department.
This funding, which comes from the federal government, is for the first half of the collaborativeís financial year. Last year the collaborative provided $26,000, but due to budget reductions, the amount of the contract for this grant cycle is cut in half, county public health director Linda Grupa told The Argus on April 28. The county will have to budget for the remaining $13,000 in 2006, which would be second half of the collaborative financial year.
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