Commissioners pursue courthouse security options; vendors and equipment to be vetted

The Randolph County commissioners discussed several courthouse security options, including hiring private security firms and purchasing or leasing equipment such as walk-through metal detectors and baggage scanners.

Officials reported preliminary vendor quotes: roughly $65 per hour for an armed guard with arrest powers and about $35 per hour for a civilian, non‑armed employee; walk-through metal detectors and baggage scanners were described as costing in the tens of thousands of dollars. EntryShield and other vendors presented equipment options including a manless walk-through detector that can send notifications via text or email, and commissioners asked the security committee to meet and to invite Protection Plus and other vendors to the April meeting for formal quotes and background checks.

Commissioners discussed operational details (which courthouse doors to staff, basement access and inmate movement, and whether to lease or buy equipment), compliance and bidding questions for personal services vs. equipment purchases, and potential use of sheriff’s office personnel for court staffing as a budgeted position. No final procurement decision or binding contract was approved; the commission directed staff to collect additional quotes and coordinate with the security committee and county counsel on procurement and statutory responsibilities.