Brawl in the hall raises issues

Brawl in the hall raises issues

A brawl in the Youngstown Mu- nicipal Court hallway has reopened discussion about the obvious and long-standing need for improved court facilities.

But the incident argues against one solution that municipal court judges have sought for years, a new freestanding courthouse. The courtrooms are in City Hall, which also houses police headquarters.

Video shot by news photographers and captured on court surveillance cameras following the video arraignment of Melvin S. Shaw II, 18, on charges of murder in the death of Tracee Banks, 17, and the attempted murder of Jamel Turner, 18, show a potentially dangerous confrontation between family members. But they also record an immediate show of force by Youngstown police officers.

Neither the court nor the city can afford a substantial full-time police presence at the court. What might have happened in the time it would have taken for officers to respond to trouble at a separate court building?

Projecting authority

That said, something must be done about the court’s present inadequate quarters. A shabby courtroom sends an unhealthy, even dangerous, message. A court’s business is serious, and a courtroom’s appearance and the demeanor of all personnel should make it clear that neither foolishness nor unruliness will be tolerated.

The judges say City Hall doesn’t have space for proper court operations. But it is the place where the courts can be assured of the quickest police response when things go wrong.

Whatever is done must be done within a budget.

Given all those realities, and the impetus provided by last week’s violence outside the court, it’s time for the judges and city administrators to seriously pursue short- and long-term solutions to the court’s problems.

In the meantime, vigorous prosecution of anyone guilty of assault outside the court would serve as a deterrent to others who are tempted to get carried away by the emotions that are present during any criminal proceeding.