Scott County sets budget for courthouse security improvements

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County Commissioners have set a budget for the courthouse security improvements they hope to implement, should they receive a grant.

During Thursday's regular meeting, Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger suggested a total budget of $30,000 for the improvements. If approved, $15,000 would come from a grant through the Circuit Court Budget Committee through the Office of State Court Administrator. The other half would come from other county funds.

"I think that's realistic and affordable," said Sheriff Rick Walter in a meeting to discuss the measures.

"And it's needed," noted Glenda Enderle, treasurer.

Joel Evans, county developer and emergency services director, obtained some price estimates on four priorities discussed when the idea was brought up during Tuesday's meeting.

"With $30,000, we could do all four things," he said. The four areas include a walk-through metal detector, which would be portable; an additional door to the courtroom; surveillance cameras in the atrium of the building, which would be monitored from the dispatch location; and some sort of exterior door security, such as key cards, or even locking the side and back doors to be used only for exits.

"I think that makes for a very good start and close to a finish, if it all works," said County Clerk Rita Milam.

Burger agreed, but said it's something that could be considered "a work in progress every year," which could be added to if additional funding opportunities arise.

He highlighted the need for such measures. "I think that courthouse security is on my mind and everyone's mind in light of what happened in Kirkwood and in light of what happened in Tennessee a couple years ago," he said. "With us having the opportunity to get $15,000 in grant money, it's time for us to use some capital improvement funds to enhance our security as much as we can. I think with any small thing we do, anything we do is an improvement."

Ron McCormick, commissioner, said he was in favor of the idea of a key swipe system because of the information it would provide. "That would give us an idea of who was in the building and when," he said. "I think that's important these days."

Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn added that the metal detector would be helpful during court days. "If you have a high-profile suit of some sort, you need that metal detector to funnel the people through," he said.