Members of the Richland County Public Safety Standing Committee said courthouse security and small-courtroom improvements are priorities for 2026, and the circuit court judge supports work by a newly formed facilities committee.

A court representative told the committee the judge is "pleased that the facilities committee has been formed" and that planned improvements include seating updates, courtroom appearance enhancements and consideration of physical security tools such as a metal detector. The representative stressed a three-part approach—physical changes, staffing adjustments tied to the sheriff’s department, and additional training—while warning, "we don't provide too much information to the public on... when we're exposing our vulnerabilities."

Committee members signaled support for advancing work in 2026 and asked for board and public buy-in to avoid perceptions of frivolous spending. The chair said members will follow up on scheduling for the next courthouse-security meeting in March. The committee also discussed whether the committee's title should explicitly reference the judiciary to reduce public confusion about the committee's role.

Why it matters: Officials said upgrades are aimed at improving public-safety outcomes for courthouse users, staff and jurors. Members noted that visible improvements and clear communication about necessity and professional recommendations will be important to secure broader support.

What’s next: The committee will revisit courthouse-security planning and report back with details; scheduling for a March courthouse security meeting was discussed and members will be notified of the confirmed date.