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County to evaluate door access, panic-button integration and cameras after courthouse security review
Summary
County IT and the sheriff’s office presented proposals to integrate panic buttons and fire alarm signals with the courthouse door access system and to provide sheriff access to camera feeds. Commissioners asked for pricing updates and planned to revisit the item.
The county received an update on an in-progress security upgrade at the Griggs County Courthouse and discussed adding panic-button integration and fire-alarm-triggered door actions.
Mr. Palm (project presenter) said Electro Watchman is installing the courthouse door access control system and that staff had identified potential improvements including adding a relay from the panic button system to trigger a lockdown and wiring the fire alarm so specified doors would unlock during an alarm to aid emergency responders. Palm said the vendor’s current quote for the additional relay work is “1,009.05” (quote text in meeting) from Electro Watchman and that additional electrician work would be required to tie into the fire panel; he expected that cabling work from county electrician Josh would likely be below $1,000 but asked Josh to provide a firm quote.
The sheriff’s office supported adding a second panic button to the clerk’s office for faster lockdown capability and asked that the sheriff’s office be given access to camera feeds; Palm said cameras are up and recording and that sheriff access will be configured this week. County staff also discussed bringing school camera feeds into the courthouse system and noted that fire-code requirements would still allow egress even if doors are locked for security.
Why it matters: integrating panic and fire alarm signals with door access could speed response in a critical incident and give law enforcement timely video access. The estimated vendor cost provided during the meeting will be refined with an electrician’s quote and returned to the commission for approval.
Next steps: Palm said he will obtain Josh’s electrician quote and return with consolidated pricing. Commissioners also indicated LifeWatch (a vendor mentioned in packet) planned to attend the next meeting.
Ending: The commission did not approve new expenditures at the meeting; staff will return with updated quotes and implementation details at the next meeting.
