Courthouse security discussed
The investigation continues into who made bomb threats in March.
STAFF REPORT
LISBON — Columbiana County security officials will meet next month to discuss changing its evacuation policy.
The courthouse was evacuated March 27 when two calls were made. One caller said there was a bomb in a courthouse, and another bomb threat was made to the county’s Department of Job Family Services.
No bombs were found in the three separate county courts or the JFS.
Authorities aren’t sure if there were one or two callers.
Allen Haueter, the chief deputy for the Columbiana County sheriff’s office, said no one has been arrested, but the investigation is continuing.
Eric Moore, head of courthouse security, wanted to discuss with commissioners Wednesday whether workers — and the public — should stay in a county building in case of contamination. He said in a recent case, mercury, a toxic metal, was thrown inside a courthouse.
In that case, he said it may be better if people stayed put to reduce the potential of contamination until any toxic material was cleaned up.
The commissioners, meanwhile, have made laminated evacuation signs for each of the 78 rooms room in the courthouse, Commissioner Penny Traina said.
Many, but not all, of the rooms had evacuation signs before the bomb threats.
County officials also will discuss with county Emergency Management Agency workers creating backpacks with emergency supplies for offices.
The backpacks would contain face masks to fight dust or smoke, a flashlight, and possibly other items.