Commissioners approve $8,926 security upgrades for probation office after safety concerns

Bradley County commissioners voted to fund security upgrades for the county probation office, approving $8,926 to install shatterproof glass in the lobby and a bullet‑resistant wall at the secretary’s station.

The request, presented during the Jan. meeting by probation staff, follows an out‑of‑county shooting that left a probation client critically injured and prompted county staff to reassess office safety. Commissioners approved using the court security reserve if the expense qualifies there; if not, they directed staff to use Fund 189 (capital projects) as a fallback.

Probation staff told commissioners the office currently has locked doors but “absolutely nothing preemptive,” and said the office now supervises people charged with felonies, not only misdemeanors. “Pay me a little now or pay me a lot later,” the staff member said, arguing for proactive measures to reduce the risk of lethal incidents.

Commissioners discussed whether the expense would qualify under court security reserves and whether to proceed immediately. Mayor Davis and others said the county should act quickly to install the security features; an estimate on the quote’s validity was cited as typically 90 days. The motion to approve the funds specified using court security funds first and Fund 189 if the expense did not qualify.

The motion passed by voice vote, recorded as 4 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent. Commissioners asked staff to check with court security administrators and to report back; a commissioner said they would place a call to Bill Dyer, Cassandra or Eric Lawson to confirm fund eligibility.

The county will proceed to obtain the work under the accepted estimate and reconcile the funding source later when staff confirms whether court security funds can cover the purchase.