Boosting security at courthouse
Measures are being taken to protect deputy sheriffs and prisoners from violence.
WARREN — The Trumbull County commissioners are taking steps to increase security at the county courthouse.
The improvements are being made after two defendants were attacked in courtrooms in late 2006 and early this year.
During their Tuesday work session, commissioners said they plan to advertise for bids to build a concrete pad in front of a door that is locked from the outside and not used by the public, near the main High Street entrance to the building.
Commissioners Paul Heltzel said that a van carrying high-profile defendants will be able to travel from the jail across the street and pull up to the door so they have limited exposure to the public.
Prisoners are now walked from the jail, across High and into the main courthouse entrance.
Heltzel explained that the walk exposes prisoners and deputy sheriffs to violence.
The commissioner explained that the van will not be used when a large number of prisoners are walked to the courthouse for arraignments.
The recommendation to add the security came from a security consultant of the Ohio Supreme Court.
Commissioners were expected to pass a resolution today seeking bids for the project. Heltzel explained that commissioners want to get the pad constructed shortly after the first of the year at a “moderate cost.”
Heltzel said that a security committee headed by Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court is also recommending that there more cameras in the courthouse for better coverage.
This will be done, the commissioner added, after the pad is built.