Security measures are being planned for the Reno County Courthouse. For years, law enforcement, judges and attorneys have complained the building is a target for violence. The main reason- there's no security checkpoints at the door. County commissioners say they're going to approve the security measures next week.
“We've gotten lucky. We're lucky no one's gotten hurt,” said Reno County sheriff Randy Henderson.
Henderson can recount several dangerous situations in the Reno County courthouse and law enforcement building. He says there was a man reaching for his guns in a courtroom and another man claiming he was carrying a bomb inside the law enforcement center. Those are the reasons Henderson has been pushing for better security.
“We have the capability and we've been lucky. You play the odds. We've been lucky 6-7 times. When is your luck going to run out? People know we're an open target,” said Henderson.
When you enter the Reno County Courthouse the only security measure you're likely to encounter is the "no gun" sign. Otherwise you can walk right in, no questions asked, but that's all about to change.
“Considering the times we're living in, the county commission is pretty much unanimous we need to do it, and we need to let the public know it's coming,” said Reno County commissioner Dan Deming.
County commissioners are reviewing the security plan. They're expected to approve adding metal detectors and security officers that will man an entrance of the building.
After that vote, Reno County voters will be asked to approve additional security measures at the jail along with a jail expasion. Henderson wants voters to support renovating the middle of the courthouse and law enforcement center.
If approved, it would move the tag office to another building so daily visitors don't face the extra security. “I'd rather not have the security at the tag office. I think that that is a little too much security, I like having it easily accessible. It's a little excessive,” said tag office patron Allie Archer.
If voters approve this plan, it would add an extra $2 million dollars to the proposed $25 million dollar plan for a new jail. It would also mean extending a half a cent sales tax hike an extra 2 years.
“I would rather just go through the hassle because I don't want to pay anymore tax on anything, period,” said tag office patron Joyce Webster.
The vote is scheduled for April.
