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| Officials decry lack of court security |
| By Bangor Daily News |
| Published: 09/27/2004 |
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Penobscot County (Maine) officials said last Tuesday that more funding is needed for security screenings at courts. They described the latest round of funding as minuscule. As part of $100,000 in funding the Legislature approved for court screening in 43 locations statewide, Penobscot County will receive $8,750 in which to provide screening for five courts through next June, Michael Coty, director of court security in Maine told the Penobscot County commissioners last week Tuesday. That's enough for about 35 days of screening overall, split among the courts in Lincoln, Millinocket, Newport and two in Bangor. Penobscot County officials who have had access to a screening machine for more than a year, but not the funding to staff it, were not impressed. "That doesn't amount to a drop in the bucket," Penobscot County Commissioner Tom Davis told Coty. And as for the effectiveness of such limited screening, Davis said the state would have a better chance of winning the lottery than catching the intended subjects of the screening, people entering the courts with weapons and intents to do harm. Penobscot County Sheriff Glenn Ross said his agency now beefs up security personnel when the courts are facing a high risk inmate, high profile case or the potential for family members attending the court to become volatile. But that does not prevent the people from bringing in weapons. Screeners in June used for the first time an X-ray machine at the Penobscot County Courthouse and prevented 34 knives, eight utility tools and other items from entering the building. Coty admitted that the $8,750 might not seem like much, but said that with it, the county could start a pilot program to assess just what weapons and items are making their way into the courts, potentially serving as an eye opener for legislators. Coty said state legislators could be told, "Here's what's coming into our courts on a daily basis. This is what you're missing because you're not doing any of your screening." County officials said other concerns need to be worked out, including providing passes to those associated with the legal system, such as lawyers and prosecutors, to allow them to bypass the screening. And then there is the issue about where to locate the screening equipment, particularly in light of the Superior Court building, which has several entrances. to jail custody after about two hours, Ross said. The inmate was then placed under suicide watch until he could be evaluated. |
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