Criminal dangers

Last month three inmates, including two accused of murder, escaped from the Poplar Bluff, Mo., jail.

Jail escapes are legendary in fictional lore, from the acclaimed "Shawshank Redemption" movie to action blockbusters to slapstick sitcoms such as the "Dukes of Hazzard."

But they do happen in real life, and they are scary incidents. The Poplar Bluff escapees were caught without incident, but more than a decade ago, a man named Russell Bucklew broke out of the Cape Girardeau County Jail inside a trash bag and wreaked violent havoc before being apprehended following a police chase. Bucklew is now on death row.

Protecting the public is a cornerstone in a safe and free society. A lot of resources go into securely apprehending criminals. Police put their safety at risk any time a suspect is arrested and taken in. Jailers often find themselves breaking up fights.

Once those criminals break free, history has shown anything can happen.

The Cape Girardeau County Commission has been worried about such security issues for several years. Not so much with the jail security -- there have been no escapes since 1996 -- but with courthouse security.

Our courts, obviously, present security risks when criminals are being reintroduced to the public. Our constitution guarantees this right, but the task of keeping the public safe presents significant challenges.

In Cape Girardeau County, inmates are walked outdoors from the jail in Jackson and across the street to the courthouse. This is seen in full public view. Officials see this as a security concern. There are also security issues with the courthouse itself, one of many reasons the county is considering a new courthouse.

Earlier this month, the county commission approved stepped-up security coverage from the county sheriff's department.

Two officers will be hired so the department's patrol division can keep watch over court facilities in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. Sheriff John Jordan told commissioners there is a need more than ever for officers to cover patrols at the courthouses in light of recent violence at court and public venues across the country.

Judges have expressed concern about courthouse security and approached Jordan with requests for security guards. The Southeast Missourian shares those concerns, as our reporters often are covering the courts.

The two officers will be hired at $85,000 annually, which includes salary and benefits. With the move, about $38,000 will be eliminated from overtime costs.

Judges who serve Cape Girardeau County courts approached Jordan with requests for security guards.

Providing security for the public is an expensive task and can be a slippery slope. But extra security in the courthouse makes sense.