Sarah Stultz, Albert Lea Tribune, Minn. –
People attending hearings at the Freeborn County Courthouse may encounter heightened security as they enter the courtrooms.
On Friday, as part of a random screening, two deputies stood between the inner and outer doors of Courtroom 3. One deputy monitored a walk-through metal detector, while a second screened coats, bags and purses. Inside the courtroom, a third deputy stood by to monitor the room.
Everyone, including lawyers, defendants and interpreters, was required to walk through the detector before entering the room.
“It’s not based on any particular case or anything,” said Freeborn County Sheriff Bob Kindler. “It’s more of a random sampling just to show that we have a presence and that we are taking steps to protect everybody in the courthouse.”
Though it wasn’t as tight as airport security, it was a step up from the security previously in place at the courthouse.
Kindler said his department has been conducting random screenings since the beginning of the year, and so far deputies have completed about a half dozen.
He said discussion about courthouse security began several months ago but amplified after the shooting at the Cook County Courthouse in December, he said. A man was accused of bringing a gun into the courthouse and opening fire on a prosecutor and witness.
“Because that was a little bit closer to home, there’s been a little more awareness about it across all the courts in Minnesota,” he said.
Kindler, whose department is responsible for providing courtroom security, talked with the county’s two judges about a plan for random screenings.
He said the judges readily agreed and thought it would be a good idea to try.
The sheriff noted that he has had a lot of positive feedback about the screenings from many people who work in the court system, but there have been a couple comments from the general public about its inconvenience.
Despite this, he said he thinks it will all be worth it to raise awareness for safety.
One other drawback, Kindler noted, is that it taxes Sheriff’s Office resources every time there is a screening.
“We have to pull a person off the street, or otherwise arrange the schedule so we have manpower to do it,” he said.
He speculated that at some point in the future there will be mandatory screening for all hearings.
