State offering metal screener

[Silent_Bob]

http://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/state-offering-metal-screener/article_f59384b9-5104-5d8e-a0cb-c7bec78bc7f9.html

The 8th Circuit Court District Division in Keene continues to lack state accreditation due to safety concerns, an issue city officials hope to remedy soon.

A letter from N.H. Chief Justice Linda S. Dalianis to Mayor Kendall W. Lane earlier this month indicates a willingness to work with city officials to address safety concerns at the Keene court, which have denied the court official accreditation from the judicial branch since 2009.

In the letter, dated July 18, Dalianis cites the district court's lack of a magnetometer, or metal detector, as the main cause of concern for state officials. She also refers to the N.H. Court Accreditation Commission's vote in May to keep the Keene court's status at "not accredited," due to the concerns. The court has lacked accreditation since June 2009.

"The Keene District Court is the fifth largest district division in (New Hampshire) and one of only three (Colebrook and Seabrook being the others) that is not equipped with a walk-through magnetometer," she said. "That condition, coupled with limited lobby space adjacent to the courtroom and the clerk's office, has led to ongoing concerns about the safety of all who use or work in the Keene Circuit Court."

At Wednesday's meeting of the City Council's municipal services, facilities, and infrastructure committee, City Manager John A. MacLean was authorized by the committee to work with judicial branch officials to remedy the problem.

Larry S. Kane, the district court clerk, said court officials have taken steps to alleviate safety concerns.

"City Hall installed an updated security camera system, throughout the building, and the parking garage, not just in the court area itself," he said. "That was done over a year ago. We also installed a pass lock system for the doorway into the clerk's office."

That door was often left open, Kane said, because it became a nuisance for court employees to fetch their traditional keys every time they had to access the clerk's office. The key card pass system allows them to access the office easily while otherwise keeping the door closed.

"I think it's clear they're trying to address those issues," said Laura Kiernan, the communications director for the state's judicial branch. "But it's not safe, and that's a concern for us. That's why we're working with the city now."

Currently, anyone attending court on the second floor of City Hall can enter the lobby area without being screened. But once court enters into session, everyone must be screened by two court bailiffs with metal-detection wands.

Lacking accreditation means state officials could push for a temporary relocation of the district court if it's deemed unsafe, but Kiernan said that step is unlikely given the city's plans to move into a new courthouse on Winter Street by December 2013 or January 2014.

Still, state judicial officials would like to see the Keene court install the magnetometer to reduce safety concerns in the meantime, Kiernan said.

But that could present some logistical problems, Kane said.

"By putting the magnetometer on the first floor, we can check everyone before they go up to the court area," he said. "But what about assessing department employees, who come and go a few times a day, would they have to be screened as well? I imagine there has to be a meeting to determine how this is going to work."

In addition to the district court, City Hall houses offices for the city clerk, city manager, city attorney, mayor, planning and code enforcement departments, and several others.

It's an issue that Kiernan said her office is well aware of.

"The city has been concerned in the past that citizens coming to the building for non-court-related business would have to be screened because of the location of the magnetometer," she said. "We are hoping the city will reconsider, with the opening of the new building just 18 months or so away."

Dalianis said in her letter that the state is willing to provide the magnetometer, but not without an addendum to the existing lease between the city and the state. The authorization given to MacLean Wednesday is meant to facilitate that action.

Councilor Philip Dale Pregent, who previously attended several meetings on the matter as mayor, said he would support the installation of the metal detector on the first floor "because the safety of everyone in City Hall is so important.

"I have also been very concerned with the safety of people at the district court," he said. "We did know something would have to be done."

Mayor Kendall W. Lane and municipal services committee Chairman James P. Duffy could not be reached for comment.

June M. Donegan, the committee's vice chairwoman, said she understands the logistical concerns, but because safety is at issue, she wouldn't want to be the one to say "no thanks.

"I think it's (safety) a legitimate concern," she said. "Particularly in today's society where lots of people have guns. I'm not paranoid, but I'd like to err on the side of safety."