Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Courthouse Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Alpena County officials discuss courthouse security upgrades, ADA access and feasibility study
Summary
Alpena County officials discussed options to improve security at three separate courthouse buildings, including converting an annex side entrance into a main security checkpoint, adding an ADA-compliant ramp and reviewing the county's metal detector, at the Dec. 15 Courts & Public Safety Committee meeting.
Chair Lucille Bray opened a discussion on courthouse security at the Dec. 15 meeting of the Alpena County Courts & Public Safety Committee. County Attorney Dan Florip told the committee that Alpena County’s configuration of three separate courthouse buildings creates a unique security challenge that merits further study.
Sheriff Deputy Mike Lash described possible facility changes, including converting a side entrance at the annex into the main public entrance and security checkpoint, providing elevator access and adding a ramp by the stairwell connecting the two buildings to achieve ADA compliance. Lash said the county’s existing metal detector is only 30 inches on the inside and therefore would not meet ADA accessibility standards.
County Attorney Cristie VanMassenhove said she fully supports Attorney Florip’s concerns about court safety and security. Chair Bray said she will visit other area courthouses to research potential designs and will meet with County Administrator Jesse Osmer before the next committee meeting to discuss her findings.
Committee members discussed a feasibility study and other next steps but did not authorize expenditures or adopt a formal security plan at the Dec. 15 meeting. The discussion concluded with a commitment to gather comparative information and return findings at a future meeting.
