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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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County Courthouse Security Tightened Metal Detectors,Bag Searches Could Cause Delays

William Miller Staff writer

Going to the Spokane County Courthouse next week? Two words of advice: Be patient.

Tightened security should cause delays as people headed for courtrooms and government offices are shuttled through metal detectors and bags and briefcases are searched by security guards.

Starting Monday, security checkpoints will be operating on the main floor of the courthouse, in the annex near the cafeteria and in the lobby of the Public Safety Building.

The county Juvenile Detention Center already has a walk-through metal detector.

Later this summer, airport-style X-ray machines will be installed, eliminating the need to search every bag by hand. Security cameras and alarms will be added to a number of exterior doors.

Employees will be issued identification cards allowing them access to the main courthouse through a designated door during early morning and evening hours.

During normal business hours, employees must submit to routine security checks.

When everything is in place, the threat of a bombing or shooting will be greatly reduced, said Superior Court Judge Robert Austin.

“People should feel far more secure than they feel now,” he said.

Tightened security will slow entry to the West Broadway landmark during peak hours, but few employees are complaining - especially in light of the Oklahoma City bombing.

The 100-year-old courthouse is one of the least-secure buildings of its kind in the nation, according to a 1992 U.S. Marshal’s Service report.

County commissioners belatedly responded earlier this month.

Their plan calls for spending about $220,000 to buy metal detectors and other security equipment and to hire eight unarmed security guards. The guards are provided under a contract with Seattle-based Olympic Security Systems Inc.

Visitors to the courthouse on Monday can expect to find the doors to the main entrance locked.

Initially, security guards will be posted instead at the west entrance - the best access point for people in wheelchairs.

, DataTimes