State authorizes release of funds for metal detectors,
additional security officer
The San Benito County courthouse recently increased security
measures by placing metal detectors at the lobby entrances to both
courtrooms and adding an additional sheriff’s deputy to patrol the
building at Fifth and Monterey streets.
State authorizes release of funds for metal detectors, additional security officer
The San Benito County courthouse recently increased security measures by placing metal detectors at the lobby entrances to both courtrooms and adding an additional sheriff’s deputy to patrol the building at Fifth and Monterey streets.
The changes were prompted in part by a June 2008 visit by members of the state’s Judicial Council, which authorized redirecting court funding to bolster security at the two-story facility.
The visit by the Judicial Council, which is the governing body for the state’s judicial system, had a “wide-ranging purpose in that the council wanted to understand the current level of operations in Hollister with regards to public service, security and all facets of our operations,” said Gil Solorio, executive officer of the local courts. The council makes just two or three visits throughout the state each year, he added.
“As a result of that visit, they were very concerned about the low level of security at our courthouse,” Solorio said, noting that the visit was also related to the planned construction of a new courthouse at the site of the former Fremont School on Fourth and West streets, just north of the current building.
The Judicial Council redirected unused funds so that the court could apply them to additional security measures, he said.
“Prior to their visit, that money was sitting there unused, though it was earmarked for another security purpose,” Solorio said. “The Judicial Council said, ‘We should help them some way, somehow,’ so they lifted that earmark restriction on that money and said we can use those previously restricted dollars for additional security measures.”
Roy Iler, the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office’s operations lieutenant, said the heightened courthouse security went into effect on April 13.
“We increased personnel and now we have permanent screening stations,” he said. “Before, we were running hand-held metal detectors. Fortunately, we haven’t had any major incidents during court, but we just want to make sure that we are all prepared.”
Since the court contracts with the Sheriff’s Department for bailiff service, the department used the new funding to hire a new deputy for general assignment duties and assigned a veteran deputy to the courthouse detail, Iler said. There are now two full-time bailiffs assigned to the courthouse along with a part-time person who will help operate the metal detectors and offer security services.
“Whenever there is time available at the courthouse, such as during a court recess, a deputy will perform perimeter security around the courthouse and at the mediation building across the street,” Iler said, adding that the new security measures are “100 percent funded by the state.”
The current courthouse doesn’t have a single point of entry like the new courthouse will, so it provides a security challenge for deputies, Iler said.
Solorio said that since the additional court officer will be on duty full time, “our first priority is whenever a courtroom is in session, a bailiff or bailiffs will be on duty.
“Our second priority will involve mediations. Whenever a mediation session is underway, we’ll attempt to have security present.”
Sheriff Curtis Hill reviewed and approved the purchase of the new metal detectors as well, Solorio said.
“The sheriff and his staff have provided invaluable assistance and have shown extraordinary flexibility, not only before this increase in security but now that we’ve had the increased security approved,” he said. “The state is very security conscious and is interested in funding existing levels of security at court facilities and funding advancements there.”
The new 41,500-square-foot courthouse, which is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2012, will have “significantly more security than is in place now at the courthouse,” Solorio said.
Visitors will be screened using metal detection and X-ray machines and at least two deputies will be at the screening station during business hours, according to court officials. The courthouse will also have holding cells for inmates and a separate and secure transportation entrance area.
