Security update: New Madrid County adds metal detector to courthouse entry

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- New Madrid County Commissioners intend to continue to provide the public with access to the County Courthouse while at the same time ensuring all visitors, the officeholders and their employees are safe.

Beginning as early as next week, public entry to the more than 100-year-old courthouse will be limited to the south door, which faces the parking lot. Those coming into the building will pass through a metal security detector manned by a New Madrid County deputy.

New Madrid Presiding Commissioner Mark Baker noted nearly every day there is a story in the news about violence in a workplace or in a public venue. Many times it is in large cities, sometimes in much smaller communities.

"Those kind of things you think will happen somewhere else, that they won't happen here," Baker said "But they do happen here. People everywhere else thought the same thing until an incident happened in their community and they are regretting not taking some type of action."

"Peace of mind and public safety is the main thing. That is what this is all about," added Second District Commissioner Don Day about the new security measures.

Providing the public entry from the south door was the obvious choice. According to the commissioners, approximately 70 to 80 percent of those coming in and out use the doors opening onto the parking lot. Officeholders and county employees will be able to access the other doors to the building through keycards which are read by electronic locks at each door to open them.

"We are hoping the employees will park around where the other entrances are and leave the lot open for the public," Baker said.

Commissioners began discussing the security upgrade late last year. According to Baker several surrounding communities are making use of walk-through metal detectors at their courthouses as do many area schools, including New Madrid County Central High School.

First District Commissioner Bobby Aycock said they also consulted with Circuit Judge Fred Copeland, whose courtroom is on the second floor, and Associate Judge Josh Underwood, who maintains his office and courtroom on the first floor. Both judges thought it was a good idea, he said.

The public also is hearing about the system. Day said the people in Portageville he has talked with have had a positive reaction.

"It will be a little inconvenient for some people but I think it will be well worth it," he said.

The walk-through metal detector is just part of the courthouse's security improvements. The commissioners pointed out the county also upgraded the security cameras inside and outside the building. The new cameras provide a much higher resolution image and are designed to be monitored from the county dispatch center on Highway 61.

Baker said further changes may come as the system is fully implemented.

Acknowledging that the money spent might be considered a downside by some, Baker added,

"I see a bigger downside if we didn't do something and something happened out here in the hallway. We didn't just want to wait until we had some kind of incident to make it safe here."

The Garrett 6500 system, which cost approximately $13,000 to purchase and install, is already having an impact. Even though not yet operational Thursday morning, members of the public would pause before passing through the metal portal, dropping keys into the tray next to it before walking through.

James Darter, an officer with the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department who was hired in February to oversee the metal detector during office hours at the courthouse, patiently advised those passing through it wasn't quite operational yet. He added his thanks for their cooperation.

According to Darter, the detector's sensitivity to metal can be adjusted. New Madrid County's machine also detects by zones, he said, explaining when an alarm goes off it will show him which zone alerted. The person who set off the alarm would then be searched by Darter using a hand-held wand detector.

He said the level of sensitivity will be set at a level where it won't sound for individuals with medical implants. Jewelry should not set off the alarm either.

However cellphones, keys, change and belt buckles with lots of rivets will set it off.

"We want it to be safe and pick up things like knives, guns and tools," he said atbout the system, which is similar to those used in the federal building at Cape Girardeau. "We certainly want to maintain that same level of protection... here. Everybody needs to be safe."

For those who need wheelchair access into the courthouse, Darter said they would continue to use the ramp which enters at the courthouse basement. A video door button is installed on that door which can be rung bringing up a view of the door on a monitor at Darter's desk.

Darter said he will be able to talk to the individual and open the door to allow entry to the basement. If the person needs access to the first or second floor, they can take the elevator to the first floor, where he will meet them.

Involved in law enforcement in various ways since 1967, Darter received training on the use of metal detectors while taking advanced classes through Southeast Missouri State University. While he said he has always enjoyed law enforcement, he has discovered he likes his new post as well.

"I enjoy the people coming through," he said. "I will certainly enjoy that - talking to the people I haven't seen in a long time."