Protecting Your Court: Practical Facility Enhancements for Your Courthouse

Transcription

1 Protecting Your Court: Practical Facility Enhancements for Your Courthouse Joint NACM/IACA Conference July 12, 2017 Nathan Hall. RA, LEED-AP Architect and Senior Consultant National Center for State Courts 1

2 Cook County, IL April 10, Circuit court judge shot and killed outside his home. Berrien County, (St. Joseph), Michigan July 11, In-custody defendant kills two bailiffs. Navaho County, (Holbrook), Arizona June 28, Two persons involved in child-custody matter shot dead on courthouse steps. Travis County, (Austin), Texas November 9, District court judge shot outside her home. Chesterfield County Courthouse, South Carolina February 13, Woman involved in child-support matter shot outside courthouse. Newcastle County, (Wilmington), Delaware February 11, Female litigant and two officers shot inside lobby. Tulsa County Courthouse, Oklahoma March 7, Police officer and civilian shot outside the courthouse. 2

3 BUT, THIS DOES NOT PROVIDE AN EXCUSE TO DO NOTHING

4 If we cannot ensure the safety of all participants in the judicial process, we cannot maintain integrity of the system, we cannot in sum establish justice, as mandated in the preamble of the Constitution of the United States. Joint Statement Warren Burger, U.S. Supreme Court, Chief Justice William French Smith, U.S. Attorney General

5 Architectural Elements Equipment and Technology Operating Procedures and Policies Training and Awareness 5

6 Security Assessment Strategic Planning Implementation Security is not a onetime achievement. It is a serious and continuous goal. 6

7 Security Assessments In-House Self Assessment NCSC Assessment Resources: NCSC > COURTHOUSE FACILITIES > COURT SECURITY > RESOURCE GUIDE 7

8 Steps to Best Practices allow us to prioritize: 1. Fundamental 2. Critical 3. Essential Download the 2016 Steps Document: 8

9 SECURITY COMMITTEE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THREAT AND INCIDENT REPORTING SECURITY TRAINING 9

10 HOW TO APPLY BEST PRACTICES TO A DIVERSE ARRAY OF COURTHOUSES? 10

11 Organizing a Security Assessment 1. Outside Perimeter Security 2. Building Access Control 3. Public Areas 4. Courtrooms, Chambers, and Jurors 5. Staff Offices, Public Service Areas 6. Transport, Holding and Security Facilities Mecklenburg County Courthouse, Charlotte, NC Mckinnell & Wood Architects / Schenkel & Schultz Architects 11

12 Perimeter Defense Creating Setbacks Providing Vehicular Barriers Landscaping Ideas Enhancing Perimeter Lighting Embracing CPTED Principles (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) 12

13 Perimeter Defense Controlling Access Points Providing Secured Parking Limiting Exterior Doors & Window Weak Points Controlling Access to Roof, Utility Connections, and HVAC Air Intakes Polk County Courthouse, (Des Moines), Iowa 13

14 Screening Persons Entering the Building Visibility is key Clear Separation of Entry and Exits Reduce Congestion Designate Queuing Area Ballistic Barriers Cameras and Duress Alarms Security Booth San Bernardino Superior Court, CA 14

15 Security is VISIBLE but not INTRUSIVE Reduce congestion Reduce blind spots Public Areas Establish security/information stations Create separate waiting for victims & witnesses away from general public Add windows to Atty/Client Conference Rooms Question: How does the public space enhance or detract from the dignity and decorum expected while at court? 15

16 Courtroom Security Defined entrance & exit points Separate public & litigation well Appropriate litigation area layout Separation between witness and defendant & jurors In-custody accommodations Courtroom surveillance Courtroom duress alarms Prisoners Judge Litigation Area Attorneys Witness Parties Staff Jury Victims/ Witness Spectator Area Vestibule Public 16

17 Simple Courtroom Enhancements Separate spectators in the gallery Restrict access to rows close to defendants/jurors Avoid collapsible chairs Move the podium away from the bench Remove or affix weapons of opportunity (e.g., staplers, water jugs, heavy microphones) 17

18 Ballistic Shielding Bullet Resistant Glazing Fiberglass Composite Panels Rating TBD by Threat Assessment UL 752 Level 3 recommended to stop.44 magnum type ballistic. Locations: Judge/Clerk/Witness Security Screening Station Public Counters Exterior Windows Alarm Judge Ballistic Shield 18

19 Judge Chambers Security Insist on Controlled Access Mitigate sightlines through windows (blinds, films) Install duress alarms Install IP video/intercom If hallway circulation is mixed with prisoners install notification lights 19

20 Public Service Counters & Offices Public Counters: Is screening present in building? Ballistic Barriers (Top and Bottom) Camera placement Duress alarms Is cash present? Staff Offices: Multiple Escape/Egress Routes Safe Rooms Cash handling areas Meet clients in private offices? Other: Emergency Response Procedures and Training? Staff responsibilities: See Something, Say Something 20

21 Family and Domestic Violence Service Areas DV Waiting Areas (Primary and Secondary) Discreet Location Supervised Visitation Safety to and From the Courthouse Protocol for Providing Escorts Contra Costa, CA Family Law Center 21

22 Prisoner Transport Facilities No Sally Port? Requires good communication and close coordination. Mixed Circulation? Use notification lights Inter-lock vestibules Press for help in terms of courtroom scheduling No Prisoner Holding? Push for calendaring practices that reduce high peaks Utilize video technology James County Courthouse, VA Multnomah County Courthouse, OR 22

23 Mechanical and Structural Considerations PROTECT CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Blast Load Resistant/Progressive Collapse Structure Fresh Air Intake Ideally Above 1 st Floor Restrict Utilities Access Environmental Systems Control (e.g., light switches) Backup Generators Emergency Lighting Protect Network and Communications Systems Separately Routed and Redundant Systems Centralized Security and Fire Protection Systems 23

24 Command Center Is the Nerve Center and Basis of Operations Functions: Cameras Duress Alarms Door and Intrusion Alarms Dispatch Services Critical Systems Monitoring Fire Protection Systems Monitoring PA Systems 24

25 Technology Considerations Wireless Revolution IP Based Cameras Digital Pan-Tilt-Zoom Security Monitoring Management and Video Analytics Network Storage Issues & the Cloud Remote Video Appearances Cell Phones Body Worn Cameras Should they be allowed in court? Shooter Detection Systems 25

26 Tips on Camera Selection and Placement Fixed vs. Pan/Tilt Zoom Wireless Vs. Wired Power Over Ethernet (POE) Locations: Parking and Grounds Exterior Access Points Entry/Screening Courtrooms Stairwells and Elevators In-Custody Areas What not to do 27

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28 Security Assessment Formulate Basis of Needs Implementation Allocate available resources and re-evaluate annually Strategic Planning Identify comprehensive improvement strategy in terms of time and cost 28

29 Cost Summary - Court Security Assessment Category A: Quick, little to no cost Category B: Moderate time and cost required Category C: Lots of time and money Total Low Cost Items Eight Court Sites $35,650 $73,600 Total Moderate Cost Items Eight Court Sites $123,900 $239,225 Total High Cost Items Eight Court Sites $438,315 $962,815 Category A Items Total: Installing/ Replacing Metal Key Locks $2,250 $3,000 Total: New Duress Alarms $4,300 $10,750 Total: New Duress Alarm Controllers $18,000 $36,000 Total: Intercom/Videophone Systems $1,950 $3,650 Total: AEDs $8,400 $12,600 Category B Items Total: CCTV Cameras and Equipment $43,300 $80,600 Total: Electronic Access Card Systems $58,600 $120,225 Total: Ballistic Shielding Materials in Courtrooms $8,800 $11,000 Total: New Doors and/or Intercom Systems $10,450 $20,900 Category C Items Total Screening Stations $119,525 $347,475 Total Clerk Transaction Windows $39,620 $93,765 Total Probation Office Enhancements $31,090 $70,280 Total Reconfiguring/Remodeling Court Spaces $248,080 $451,295 29

30 Sample Court Security Projects Tracking Sheet Topic Priority Vulnerability Description A1 Critical Security Committee no longer meets Secuirty Improvement Goal/ Project Description Re-Invigorate Court Security Committee Completed? (yes/no) Estimated Costs Actual Costs Estimated timeline B1 Medium Monitoring equipment outdated Command Center equipment upgrades B3 Medium Cameras in courtroom are older Purchase and install new cameras B5 Medium Magnetometers near end of service life Replace walk-through magnetometers B8 High No vehicular barriers at building entrance Purchase and install new bollards C2 High AEDs missing on two floors Purchase and install new AEDs 30

31 Establish or Re-establish your security committee. Reach out to other agencies. Use an action planning process. Audit and determine what doesn t work. Review policies and procedures. Encourage communication & feedback. Conduct training for judges/court staff/csos. Implement & publicize easy changes first. Evaluate your progress regularly.

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