Court Security Changes Begin Monday

Changes to court security procedures will begin at the Putnam County Courthouse Monday.

A new X-ray machine and metal detectors will now be located at the South doors of the courthouse.

Lieutenant Eric Hall said that will be the new entry for people visiting the courthouse.

“It’s really good to be able to do this and to be able to screen a little bit better,” Hall said. “It just makes the whole building a little more secure and safer for everybody.”

Hall said visitors will have to exit the building through the North doors at South Low Avenue and Spring Street. He said the new changes will require folks to arrive to court a little earlier. There will be an attorney access pass to allow attorneys to be pre-screened.

The Sheriff’s Office received a $36,000 grant from the State Administrative Office of the Courts, which went towards state-of-the-art screening and x-ray equipment. County court security fees were used to purchase new high-definition cameras.

“It’s a different world we are in now and we are needing to screen a little bit better,” Hall said. “We’ve got some new equipment that’s going to help us do that.”

The old x-ray machine and metal detectors will now be moved to the Old Putnam County Courthouse to assist with any security needs there.

Sheriff Farris already increased the number of Court Deputies serving at the Justice Center, but he said the new measures will help to enhance security as well as expedite the entry and exit of individuals from within the Center.