Courthouse security still topic of concern
From our weekly issue dated December 16, 2009
Security issues at the Josephine County Courthouse were among topics discussed during the Thursday, Dec. 10 meeting of the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC).
The afternoon gathering was held in the Marie Hill Conference Room of the Community Corrections Bldg. in Grants Pass.
The issue received much media attention after county Commissioner Sandi Cassanelli asked permission to carry a concealed weapon in the courthouse. Her request ultimately was denied, but has prompted numerous conversations throughout the community about the adequacy of courthouse security.
Kirk Brust, Trial Court administrator, said that the Court Security Advisory Committee is opposed to the idea of allowing concealed weapon holders to carry weapons within the facility.
Brust said that an incident occurred at the courthouse on Wednesday, Dec. 9, in which a court security officer called for back-up. Help arrived in less than two minutes, Brust said, characterizing the response time as “excellent.”
Joe Henner, head of the Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety, said that his agency responded to a call at Riverside Park the previous evening dealing with the same individual who prompted the alarm. That episode involved firearms, Henner said, adding that the man was making a court appearance related to the park incident.
Brust added that the problem on Dec. 9 was due to the same man not wanting to go through one of the metal detectors at the entrance to a courtroom.
Although Brust referred to the courthouse as a “safe place for employees and the public,” District Attorney Stephen Campbell disagreed. He said that the message of the courthouse being secure is “not really true.” He added that it is “not comparative to other counties.”
Janine Wilson, Juvenile Justice director, said that a single entrance to the building is needed. Brust responded that funding has been obtained to close public access to the rear of the courthouse. He added that the changes should be fully implemented sometime in the spring.
“We are making progress,” Brust said.
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Campbell also addressed implementation of Senate Bill 570, which places restrictions on the sale of scrap metal.
Under that law, Campbell said, he is charged with establishing a plan to establish communication between law enforcement agencies and businesses regarding scrap metal transactions.
Businesses that purchase scrap metal now are required to keep a “pretty extensive record” of who they purchase materials from, Campbell said. They also cannot pay for scrap metal on the spot, and have to send a check to a legitimate address, a concept Campbell said he supports.
SB 570 requires law enforcement agencies to report scrap metal thefts to the companies receiving such materials, Campbell said. Those companies also must take photographs of persons selling the materials to them.
“They’re generally aware of their obligations now,” Campbell said.
Henner said that Merlin-based Cascade Metal Recycling is the only such company in the county.
Campbell said that the law will go into effect as of Jan. 1. He added that he will submit his coordination plan at LPSCC’s next meeting, which is slated for Jan. 28.
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