Oversight panel will improve security at Courthouse and County agencies

Personal safety of visitors and employees to be protected

The personal safety of people who visit or work in the King County Courthouse and other County agencies in downtown Seattle will be the subject of scrutiny by a new security oversight panel created today by the Metropolitan King County Council.

“I am very concerned about reports of security-related incidents by people and employees using the King County Courthouse and other County offices in downtown Seattle,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, chair of the Council’s Law, Justice and Human Services Committee and sponsor of the legislation. “In testimony before my committee, we also heard about issues for the sheriff’s court security detail in responding to calls for security assistance. We also learned details of judges, prosecutors and other County employees who have been subject to serious threats.”

“Members of the public shouldn’t have to fear for their safety at the courthouse,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, vice chair of the Law, Justice and Human Services Committee and co-sponsor of the legislation. He noted that thousands of King County residents from all walks of life visit the “people’s building” each and every day. “Together with the ongoing Council initiative to restore the historic dignity of the King County Courthouse, this legislation will make the courthouse a more humane and inviting center of justice for jurors, court participants, attorneys, judges and all members of the public.”

The Security Oversight Panel is charged with setting security policies, identifying security performance measures, establishing protocols for sharing security information, responding to threats against public employees, and developing security agreements among County departments and security agencies.

The oversight panel will include representatives of all branches of King County government with offices in downtown Seattle, including the Executive, Council, Public Health, Sheriff’s Office, Prosecuting Attorney, Superior and District Courts, Facilities and Risk Management, Assessor and Jail.

Establishment of the oversight panel comes in response to citizen comments and various studies, including a 2007 U.S. Marshal Services review of county courthouse security. Security issues have been the subject of concern among employees of the courts, prosecutors, and public defenders as well as citizens serving as jurors or doing business at County offices, said Lambert.

Last November, the Council allocated up to $200,000 for implementing security upgrades identified in the U.S. Marshal’s report at the King County Courthouse and authorized a security study of all other county facilities. A report from the panel setting security policies and protocols is due by June 30, and a final master plan is scheduled for completion by Dec. 31.

“This security oversight effort will protect visitors, jurors and employees conducting the County’s business, and will make it safer and more secure in downtown Seattle offices,” added Lambert. “With the growing number of buildings downtown, we have a greater need to be inclusive as well as consistent in our security efforts.”

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system at http://mkcclegisearch.metrokc.gov/legistarweb and type in 2007-0603.