Safety still a big concern at jail, courthouse

[Source: “Safety still a big concern at jail, courthouse,” Press Citizen, 19 April 2013, by Noreen Revier]

Three years ago I served on a jury where the accused had harmed someone. The thought struck me how little separation there was between that person and those of us on the jury as we came and went for the day.

I also realized on our first day that the Johnson County Courthouse had no metal detectors for scanning of concealed weapons or any other dangerous weapon. Certainly the courthouse should have screening machines to protect the safety and security of the citizens that use it.

This is one of the many reasons why our county needs to vote “yes” on May 7.

Besides needing screening machines, there isn’t even a sprinkler system in case of a fire despite the fact that the courthouse is heavily used by citizens who need services there and those who serve like I did out of civic duty.

Although so far we have been fortunate enough not to have experienced any incidence of courthouse violence, we need to keep it that way by approving a new justice center that includes the safety and security features our citizens deserve.

Noreen Revier

Coralville