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Richland County committee presses for courthouse security upgrades, small courtroom AV fixes
Summary
The Public Safety Standing Committee discussed courthouse security gaps, recurring fire-alarm failures and a long-delayed plan to add audio/Zoom capability to the small courtroom, urging staff to pursue capital improvement funding and updated quotes.
Richland County’s Public Safety Standing Committee discussed courthouse security improvements and technical upgrades for the small courtroom at its June 6 meeting, following recent incidents that highlighted gaps in alarm notification and courtroom functionality.
The discussion focused on three priorities: installing audio and Zoom capability in the small courtroom, improving alarm/notification reliability and expanding courtroom security measures, including a staffed kiosk and clearer entry screening. Circuit Court Judge said the courthouse remains an active public forum and urged steps to protect staff and the public.
“Because we have the radiators ... when they’re on ... it’s very, very difficult to hear,” the judge said, arguing that the small courtroom needs an audio system and Zoom so visiting judges can take part without last‑minute disruptions. The judge also noted a June 15, 2023 vendor quote of $63,900 for the small‑courtroom work and said updated quotes are needed because costs have risen.
Committee members and staff described a recent alarm failure tied to a bad smoke sensor in a jail cell block. Facilities staff Randy said the faulty sensor triggered strobe lights every 20 minutes but no audible alarm; Johnson Controls reprogrammed the system and will provide spare sensors to allow faster onsite replacement. Jason (emergency/operations staff) said reprogramming will make each sensor identifiable on the panel.
The judge and others cited a separate disruption — a bat in the large courtroom during a homicide trial — to illustrate how facility issues can stop proceedings and draw media attention. The judge praised courthouse custodial staff for improvising a removal device but said the event underscored the courthouse’s aging infrastructure.
Committee members emphasized both short‑term fixes and longer capital projects. The judge and other speakers asked whether capital improvement funds could be rolled across budget years so larger items could be completed over time rather than waiting for a single year’s allocation. County staff confirmed some CIP funds can roll forward and encouraged packaging projects to build toward larger work.
On security process, the committee discussed routine testing and staff training. Jason said the alarm system is tested by the vendor annually; members pressed for regular staff evacuation drills so employees know assembly points and procedures. The judge asked staff to follow up on costs for phone/text notification options and system upgrades, noting some proposals were previously declined for cost reasons.
Discussion only: the committee directed staff to obtain updated vendor quotes for the small‑courtroom audio/Zoom installation, to gather cost estimates for notification/recording upgrades (including phone/text push notifications), and to explore staging CIP funds across years. No formal capital appropriation was approved at the meeting.
Committee members said they will continue the conversation at the courthouse security and facilities committee meeting scheduled for June 16 and at future capital improvement planning sessions.
