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Public voices concerns over fire marshal authority as court approves X‑ray purchase and legal contract
Summary
Members of the public accused county fire marshals of unlawful searches and sought accountability as the Commissioners Court approved a $50,000 X‑ray purchase and a separate $50,000 contract for legal representation of a fire marshal; court supporters said equipment is needed as backup at multiple facilities.
Public speakers at the Dallas County Commissioners Court raised sharp concerns about the county fire marshal’s authority and procedures while the court approved related procurement and legal-contract items.
Michelle Wigington, a registered public speaker, asked whether two new X‑ray machines in a $50,000 purchase would be used outside courtrooms and alleged that marshals have conducted hand searches that violated Fourth Amendment protections. "The Dallas County fire marshals... have been hand searching people's bags, violating their Fourth Amendment rights without consent," Wigington said during public comment, asking whether the machines would be deployed beyond courthouse screening.
Her brother, Michael Wigginton, argued the county code and public record language about security and arrest authority remain inconsistent with observed marshal practices and called for clearer county ordinance updates and oversight.
County officials defended the procurement as necessary backup for facilities that have experienced equipment failures or where additional screening capacity is needed. One commissioner noted machines had been moved to cover sites experiencing high traffic or equipment failures, and the court recorded support for the items as they came before the agenda; the related motions carried on the record.
Separately, a contract to secure legal representation for a fire marshal in pending litigation was listed on the agenda and discussed during public comment; the contract and the equipment purchase were both on the consent agenda or called and approved by the court in its votes. Court members acknowledged the concerns voiced by citizens and said staff would continue to review procedures, but no formal hearing or policy change on marshal authority occurred at the meeting.
