Henry County discusses courthouse exit functionality, panic bars and camera monitoring upgrades
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Summary
County staff told commissioners that emergency systems currently allow exit via push-button and fire-alarm release; commissioners discussed adding panic bars, moving monitoring equipment to the security desk and purchasing additional monitors and computers to improve entryway surveillance.
County staff and commissioners discussed courthouse security features at the Dec. 23 meeting, focusing on exterior/internal entry-exit functionality and prospective monitoring improvements.
Staff explained that the courthouse’s exits are accessible by push-button and that the fire alarm system releases the locking mechanism during an alarm, which staff said satisfies emergency-exit requirements. Commissioners raised concerns about crowd egress and whether panic bars should augment the existing system to facilitate rapid exit.
The conversation also turned to camera monitoring: staff said a video feed exists on a monitor near a water fountain but cannot be seen by security personnel from their station. Commissioners discussed relocating or adding monitors to the security desk and installing monitors/computers on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors so the bailiff and court staff can monitor entryways. A staff estimate of approximately $900 per computer was recorded for the additional monitors/computers.
Why it matters: Courthouse entry points and real-time monitoring affect both safety and operational security. Commissioners and the judge discussed incremental hardware moves and potential funding to improve visibility of entryways.
Next steps: Staff will follow up with the judge, court staff and IT/security contractor (Chuck referenced in the transcript) to scope the work and return with cost estimates and a plan for monitor placement and any required hardware purchases.