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Courthouse security committee hears about blocked-open doors, courtroom policies, more The Clarke County Courthouse Security Committee met Tuesday- its first meeting since 2005- and talked about security issues such as personnel, locked doors, courtroom policies and more. Some of the discussions turned into recommendations to be made to the County Commission. The first order of business was to elect a new chairman. District Attorney Spence Walker was nominated and elected. Circuit Clerk Jay Duke was elected vice chairman and License Commissioner Linda Copeland was elected secretary. Initially there appeared to be little business until Sheriff Bobby Moore got the ball rolling with the observation, "I don't think we've got enough [security]. We need some extra folks." "Is the front door [security officers] following procedures better?" someone asked. "We're working on it," replied Deputy Donald Jackson, who provides courtroom security. Commissioner Patricia DuBose said she had wondered if the loitering around the front door was better and she said she had been told it is. It was noted that the front door guards are just that- security guards. They are not deputized law officers and do not have arrest powers. "Are we planning to have that?" Probate Judge Becky Presnall asked. A motion was made to ask the commission for more security personnel and that they be "post certified," as Deputy Jackson described it and have arrest powers. Deputy Jackson brought up a more recent controversy of cell phones and laptop computers not being allowed in some courtrooms. Circuit Judge Stuart DuBose posted a sign on the door of his courtroom in the new annex a few weeks ago saying that cell phones, computers and other electronic devices were prohibited. Jackson said, "Some lawyers have been leaving them with me and I told them I can't be responsible. Rose Moseley, Judge DuBose's secretary, said the judge's policy has been amended recently and says cell phones and computers must be turned off. Presiding Circuit Judge Thomas Baxter posted a notice when Judge DuBose's first went up that said cell phones should be muted or turned off before entering his courtroom. The two policies are basically the same but the committee agreed to ask the judges to be consistent in their policies. Walker said, "It is sort of up to a judge to determine what goes on in his courtroom." District Judge Bill Kimbrough, a member of the committee, agreed. "I think we could ask a recommendation. It is no more binding on a court than on the county commission." Kimbrough abstained from voting on the motion, however, since he would be affected too. Commissioner Patricia DuBose asked for an update of the list of who has keys to the courthouse. The last list is dated September 2004. Probate Judge Presnall observed that keys aren't that important. "All you have to do is walk in through the basement," as the door is open most of the time. "Better not be," retorted DuBose. EMA Director Roy Waite whose office is in the basement said, "Five or six times a day I go and take the block out" that has the door propped open. It was decided that the front door security personnel should be authorized to go and check all of the exterior entrances several times a day to make sure they are closed and locked from the outside. The front door is supposed to be the only entrance to the courthouse. Judge Baxter arrived a bit late for the meeting and Walker asked if he had any concerns. "None that I can tell you about now," the judge replied.
In addition to Commissioner DuBose, Commissioners Joe Hunt and Elma Averett were also present.
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