King County approves money to improve courthouse security

SEATTLE – The King County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved $600,000 in emergency funding to improve security outside the courthouse in downtown Seattle.

The action comes after assaults and other incidents on the streets and sidewalks just outside the King County Courthouse.

KOMO reports that Seattle police statistics show more than 160 assaults near the courthouse in the first nine months of this year, and many county employees and jurors say they no longer feel safe walking in and out of the courthouse.

Officials said the extra money will be used to post deputies at the entryways, additional screeners at the security lines and outreach workers on surrounding streets.

The area of 3rd Avenue just outside the courthouse has become notorious in recent years for a host of problems, prompting King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Jim Rogers to shut down the main entrance at the courthouse at Third Avenue.

With the new security funding, Rogers said the 3rd Avenue entrance could be reopened as early as Friday.