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Sheriff recounts in-courthouse arrest and urges better courthouse safety; board agrees to drills
Summary
Sheriff Caesar described an in-courthouse arrest that raised safety concerns for staff and children. Commissioners agreed to audit panic-button coverage, consider adding a button to the sheriff's office, and run a practice drill to ensure alarms reach dispatch and staff know procedures.
Sheriff Caesar told Treasure County commissioners on Sept. 16 that an incident at the courthouse about three weeks earlier highlighted vulnerabilities in courthouse security and public safety for staff and visitors.
"I had to arrest them inside the courthouse and basically force them outside and into the back of my truck," the sheriff said, describing how a disruptive person returned to the building and required removal. He emphasized the risk that someone could arrive armed and the difficulties posed when staff and children are present in public areas.
The board reviewed the county's current alarm and panic-button setup and confirmed that alarm signals route through dispatch. Commissioners and staff discussed adding or relocating panic buttons (including under-desk placements) and ensuring alarm signals reach staff and the sheriff promptly. One commissioner suggested the practical step of running a short drill over a lunch meeting so staff would locate and test buttons and confirm the alarms's dispatch routing.
County staff agreed to show where buttons are located, confirm whether the sheriff's office directly receives alarm calls, and schedule a short practice drill to validate coverage. The board's action items include verifying alarm contacts (dispatch and on-call numbers), installing/relocating a panic button where needed, and running a practice to familiarize staff with the procedure.
Next step: staff will coordinate a brief training/drill during a lunchtime session before the next regular meeting so all offices test panic-button functionality and alarm routing.
