Sheriff Green seeks commission approval for fence at downtown courts parking, citing safety risks to judges and juries

Sheriff Green presented Resolution 626-20 at the Hamilton County Commission's May 27 agenda meeting, seeking approval to purchase and install fencing and related equipment for the downtown courts building parking lot (listed in the reading at about $281,920). The clerk read the resolution into the record; no final vote was taken at the agenda meeting.

Explaining the request, Sheriff Green said the fenced project is intended to secure a garage and parking area behind the city-county courts building and to reduce threats to judges and court staff. "We've actually had people follow transport vehicles, judges into the garage area that's supposed to be secured," the sheriff said, and added that people had been "defecating on the memorial and behind that ... in the parking area," describing the conditions as a recurring security and sanitation concern.

Commissioners asked operational questions about access. Commissioner Dr. Highlander asked whether pedestrian access would remain; the sheriff replied that the new gate system "will only allow a vehicle in" and that a walkway gate would remain to Market Street. Other commissioners confirmed they had discussed the matter previously and asked staff to add identifying details (such as inventory numbers) to the resolution caption before final action.

The resolution was read for the record; the commission did not vote on the measure at the agenda meeting. If approved in a future formal session, the purchase would be implemented by the sheriff's office and the county mayor would be authorized to sign necessary contracts.