Despite its relatively low crime rate, Carver County recently approved a $511,000 weapons-screening system and additional protection for its courthouse in Chaska.
In doing so, it became the last of the seven Twin Cities metro-area counties to install courthouse weapons screening. Even for somewhat rural counties such as Carver, it's a priority, officials say.
"We haven't experienced a significant problem or event here, but we're looking at being proactive to try to avoid a potential security problem," said Carver County Administrator Dave Hemze of the new system, which is expected to be operating by March. "It's one of those unfortunate things that we feel is necessary in our changing society."
Late last year, nearby Scott County opened a similar system. And Hennepin County added interim screening stations at its three suburban court locations in April 2012.
The added security is necessary, Hemze said, because of the potential for violence against judges, prosecutors, jury members and others in courtrooms.
In recent years, numerous incidents have occurred in courtrooms around the nation, including Minnesota. Two years ago, Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell and three others were wounded in a shooting at the county courthouse in Grand Marais. The shooter had just been convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Additional security and a metal detector have since been installed.
Carver's screening station will be in the main lobby of the Justice Center between the Sheriff's Office and the courts entrance. It will be similar to an airport system, with a walk-through metal detector and metal rollers to move bags and purses through an X-ray machine, Hemze said. The project also will install more cameras to monitor all courthouse halls and parking lots, he said.
The county has previously implemented several layers of security measures, he said, including improved exterior lighting and electronic card readers on doors.