Changes to Courthouse Access Begin December 1
Author: Broadwater County Commissioners
Broadwater County Commissioners
Unfortunate events nationwide have sparked conversations around safety in public buildings. Across the country and the state of Montana, measures are being taken to protect employees and citizens utilizing public services. After multiple security assessments recommending safety modifications at the Broadwater County Courthouse, the safety committee and Commissioners agreed to take initial steps to improve building security.
Financial restrictions prevent the implementation of some of the more costly recommendations, such as installing metal detectors. Instead, the committee focused on practical and affordable changes that can be implemented in and outside the building.
Beginning December 1, public entry to the courthouse will be limited to the northwest door closest to the hospital. This entrance at the back of the courthouse has access to the elevator and is near three handicapped parking spaces and several additional spaces that will be available to the public. Employees will now be parking on the street and in the gravel lot to the west of the courthouse.
Most offices will be restricted by an employee-only access system that will be functional in the next one to two months. Security windows for customer use will be installed beginning late November or early December. Upon completion, five additional offices will have a service window. This includes the Public Works and Department of Revenue offices in the basement, the Clerk and Recorder’s office on the main floor, and the Justice of the Peace and the County Attorney offices upstairs.
All employees either have or will receive a panic button that, when pushed, sends immediate text and email notifications to all staff and alerts the Sheriff’s Office of any threats. Cameras in the courtroom and outside the building will be added to the existing system. Additionally, new signage on the courthouse doors and in the entryway will clarify the public entrance as well as the no-firearms policy.
The county is able to make these changes using Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds, as well as money from the Judicial Branch Grant and Judge Seeley. The county was not awarded the Homeland Security grant last year, but will continue to apply in the coming years as it is available. To stay eligible for the Judicial Branch Grant, active participation in a court security committee is mandatory and must include members from the Sheriff’s Office, County Commission, Disaster and Emergency Services (DES), District Court Clerk and any other relevant courts.
For questions or concerns about the upcoming security changes, please contact the commissioners at commissioners@broadwatercountymt.gov.
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