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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saturday, April 22, 2006
| Contact: |
Don
Krupp, Chief Administrative Officer, 360-786-5440 |
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Bob Macleod,
Thurston
County
Commissioner, 360-786-5440 |
County
Commissioners
May Declare Emergency
Regarding Courthouse Security Measures
OLYMPIA
-- Thurston County Commissioners Monday will be asked to approve emergency
authorization to allow rapid installation of some video equipment in Superior
Court. The declaration of an
emergency would allow Central Services to bypass the normal bidding process to
quickly obtain and install the equipment needed to perform video arraignments
while allowing the subject inmate to remain in the county jail.
Installing the arraignment equipment in two courts and wiring all four
courts will cost the county an estimated $140,000.
County Chief Administrative Officer Don Krupp says the
expenditure makes sense. “Its
prudent to look at the various ways we can make the courthouse more secure and
more safe for the public and for staff. Cutting
down on the movement of inmates out of the jail is one step we can take to
improve security.”
County Commission Chair Bob Macleod says other measures
will also be taken. “Commissioners Wolfe, Oberquell and I have asked Chief
Karen Daniels and the Corrections staff to advance their proposed measures to
increase inmate transport safety. Given the lead-time needed to hire and train
new officers, it’s important that the Corrections Bureau move quickly on
this. We want to be responsive to
both short term and long term solutions to this situation.”
Several security improvements have already been
authorized and some are in the process of implementation.
They include-
- $50,000
to pay for overtime to allow double corrections staffing when inmates are
moved from jail to court and back.
- $40,000
for installation and $127,000 for staffing for a new weapons screening
station at District Court.
- $13,500
for elevator security improvements.
- $25,000
for video arraignment facilities in the jail.
- $580,000
for planning for a secure, single entry point for the three main buildings
on the county campus.
Commissioners will take up the emergency declaration
issue at 9 AM Monday when they hold their regular weekly commission meeting in
Room 280 of the Thurston County Courthouse.
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