After reading with interest the comments about
the courthouse, I thought I would like to offer my feelings. The
courthouse is a security nightmare!
There needs to be a tunnel built connecting the
LEC to the courthouse. I would put a courtroom at the end of this tunnel
and it would be used for initial appearances (IA).
Another elevator needs to be built that could
just be used for prisoners to the other courtrooms. This elevator would
also be off of this tunnel. Ever ridden up to a floor with
a prisoner in the elevator with you? Feel a little
unsafe?
One courtroom needs to be remodeled for high
profile cases. This courtroom would have bulletproof glass separating
the public from the court (this list can go on). This would be the IA
courtroom.
Other security measures such as cameras, the
ability in the future for metal detectors, and so on also need to be
addressed.
I recall in Madison where a deputy was taken
hostage for 12 hours, and a prisoner that escaped out of a courtroom took a
small child hostage. Some of these people just aren't nice.
In my opinion we would be better off with a new
courthouse that would address these issues. I still haven't heard much
about the jail and its overcrowding. This is the time to take care of
the problem and build a new one. Cells could be rented to other counties
and the Federal Government for prisoners in transit.
Chris
Nelson
