Local law enforcement and judicial officials are echoing Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady’s sentiments on the issue of courthouse safety in the wake of his State of the Judiciary speech.

Cady said Wednesday that courthouse safety should be a priority.

In Webster County, there are already a number of security measures in place to help keep both the public and county workers safe in the courthouse, according to Webster County Sheriff Jim Stubbs.

“There are panic alarms over there that ring into the communications center,” Stubbs said. “We’re also looking into specific training through our safety committee for courthouse personnel and, in fact, for all county personnel. We are trying to decide how to implement it.”

Metal detectors are used during high-profile trials at the Webster County Courthouse, or if a judge requests them, Stubbs said.

At the Webster County Law Enforcement Center, which houses the sheriff’s department as well as magistrate and district associate courtrooms, card readers are used to prevent unauthorized people from accessing the judges’ chambers.

Stubbs said the county would like to add card readers to the courthouse, but the building’s design makes that a challenge.

“One thing on the card readers is that you have to look at the architecture and age of the building, as well as the size of the doors,” Stubbs said. “Obviously they’re all ornate, old oak doors which creates a little bit of a problem for wiring those. But it’s being looked into.”

Sac County Sheriff Ken McClure, whose office is located at the courthouse, said numerous steps have already been taken to improve courthouse security.

“Since July, we’ve had a dedicated deputy that’s appointed to court security and courthouse security,” McClure said. “On Jan. 1, the Board of Supervisors authorized the closing of the east entrance door and making that an emergency exit only. That was done because anybody could enter those east doors and not be detected and get into the district courtroom and the jury room, back to the judge’s chambers.”

Sac County employees also receive training on what to do if an emergency happens, McClure said.

“All the courthouse staff last year went through active shooter training to learn how to react in the event of a problem,” he said. “We’re getting ready to offer a refresher course to our staff, probably sometime in February.”

Cameras help protect the Pocahontas County Courthouse, according to Sid Enockson, communications supervisor for the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Department, located at the courthouse.

“A few years ago we put in an extensive surveillance system that watches all the entrances,” Enockson said. “We also have a courthouse policy that after-hours people are only allowed to enter and exit through one door.”

Hamilton County Sheriff Denny Hagenson said the county is looking at several improvements to security at the Hamilton County Courthouse, which is attached to the sheriff’s office and the newly built Hamilton County Jail complex.

“We will be installing security doors for the judges and the attorneys,” Hagenson said. “That’s what the supervisors are working at in the budget.”

The sheriff’s office being located in the courthouse helps improve security, he said.

“They see our patrol cars parked so close to the office,” he said. “Just our presence here in the building does a lot to curtail any person that might be having thoughts of coming in and causing a problem.”

Chief Judge Kurt Wilke, of the 2nd Judicial District, said courthouse security is very important. However, he doesn’t anticipate major statewide requirements for courthouse security to be adopted.

“There may be a uniform minimum requirement that comes down sometime,” Wilke said. “And some counties might enhance their security systems based on that.”