Committee discusses courthouse security upgrades, language access and tabletop drills

Committee members and court staff discussed a range of courthouse security measures, from screening technology to signage and interpreter access, and reviewed tabletop active‑threat training outcomes.

Sheriff and court staff described borrowing a single‑post metal detector used successfully at a recent event; staff reported the device screened entrants efficiently and may be a feasible option for jury trials and other high‑traffic times. The sheriff noted the unit's purchase price is around $20,000 and highlighted potential multiple uses (screening people and objects at the courthouse and in the jail).

Court staff reported tabletop drills in the courtroom helped staff identify practical, low-cost fixes — for example, changing door handles and reboring locks — that could be handled within existing operating budgets. They also raised the need to standardize signage around the courthouse and to provide certified interpreters for some court proceedings, recommending a language-access plan for 2026.

Why it matters: Courthouse security affects juror safety, staff and litigants. The discussion balanced capital options (equipment purchases, bulletproof panels) with inexpensive operational fixes and training to reduce vulnerabilities.

Next steps: Staff will draft a language-access plan, explore signage updates including Spanish language versions, and identify whether screening equipment acquisition should be included in 2026 capital planning. Court staff said they will follow up with sample templates for a service recognition resolution and with recommendations for courtroom hardware fixes.