Oktibbeha County is looking to strengthen security at what’s been described as a “very dangerous” courthouse as it prepares to house two chancery judges for the first time in years.
Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Brett Watson said he’s reviewed security at the county courthouse, at the intersection of Main Street and Douglas L. Connor Drive, which houses the chancery court, as well as the justice court building on Felix Long Street near the county Extension Service office.
County supervisors this week approved upgrades at both buildings — with an estimated cost of $12,213 at the chancery courthouse and $14,115 at the justice courthouse — after Watson presented recommendations to better fortify the facilities.
Watson said he didn’t want to publicly discuss some steps the sheriff’s office has considered. However, he proposed camera systems for both courthouses, as neither currently has cameras now. He said he’s working to get a system in place that will allow Lt. Robert Elmore to monitor the camera system from the sheriff’s office, chancery courthouse or circuit courthouse annex.
“The circuit court is pretty secure and they have multiple levels you have to get through to get to the back offices,” Watson said. “These two courthouses, up until this point, have not had that.”
Watson said a back stairwell at the chancery courthouse is a particular point of concern.
“It’s traditionally always been an open access and that access gives you the ability to get to the entire top floor, including back to where the judges’ offices are,” he said.
Chancery Clerk Sharon Livingston said the open access to the courthouse has been concerning.
“Our chancery court has really gotten very dangerous here lately,” Livingston said.
Watson’s recommendations included the addition of two security doors to restrict access to the back hallway and the main courtroom and its judge chambers. At the justice court, Watson said the three judges have requested a security door to restrict access to their chamber. Watson also recommended installing a glass barrier at the main desk to put a barrier between the court clerks and the general public.
Watson added he’s looking at modeling a security response plan after the 10th and 14th circuit districts.
“They actually have pretty serious plans as far as bailiff and courthouse response in place,” he said. “… I intend to have that plan in place by the time the (chancery) judges take residence here. Then we can schedule some drills and things to implement that plan as we need after that.”
Chancery District 14, Place 3 judge-elect Paula Drungole-Ellis, who approached supervisors about security concerns at the Dec. 3 meeting and attended the board’s meeting again on Monday, told The Dispatch she is pleased to see the county taking steps to make the chancery court more secure. She said the new chancellors, including District 14, Place 1 judge-elect Rodney Faver, have discussed courthouse security as a concern among themselves.
“Judge Faver had the opportunity to do a walk-through last week,” she said. “He and I got together and discussed the security proposals, and both of us are very pleased with the progress that’s being made.”
Watson said that chancery court, which handles a range of emotionally charged issues such as family court matters, can add increased strain on security.
“When you go to justice court (which mostly hears misdemeanors), you’re likely going to pay a fine,” Watson said. “When you go to circuit court (civil and felony criminal), most of the time you already know there’s a chance you’re going to prison and it’s already in your mind. But when you walk into a chancery court, you don’t know if your kids are getting taken away, or any of that stuff happening right there during the day. This courthouse, to me, is a primary concern and I want to make sure it’s secured properly.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.