by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
Sheriff John Rutherford says that security inside the Duval County Courthouse was “adequate,” but added steps are being taken to make the building more secure.
The legal community doesn’t share Rutherford’s assessment of the building’s current security. Chief Judge Donald Moran and several attorney advocacy groups have complained that outdated technology and a lack of manpower make the courthouse unsafe.
Rutherford agrees that the building’s age presents security challenges. He said a committee with JSO backing is building a security plan for the courthouse. That plan will look to use technology to improve security and reduce the manpower necessary to keep the building safe.
Much of the legal community’s concerns arose when the JSO pulled 22 bailiffs out of the courthouse late last year. But Rutherford said that move wasn’t significant.
“The 22 bailiffs we eliminated were not part of the security plan. We have the proper amount of manpower over there,” said Rutherford. “But we can reduce the numbers necessary with the good use of technology.”
Rutherford said those bailiffs did not contribute much to the building’s security other than making their uniforms visible. He didn’t specify what steps would be taken to further secure the courthouse. The security plan could be compromised by divulging too many details, he said.
According to Rutherford, courthouse security is a relatively recent responsibility for the JSO, which took over security in July 2005 when the state changed the way it funds its courts. He said that security improvements were on schedule.
Rutherford made the same point in January to Jeptha Barbour, then the president of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Barbour had written Rutherford complaining about the lack of security at the courthouse.
In a written response, Rutherford touted the security committee, which he said should produce “enhanced security measures.”
Barbour had complained about the removal of the bailiffs from judges’ chambers. Judges in other counties are guarded by armed guards, he said — a far cry from what Barbour sees in Duval County.
“What we have here is nonexistent security. There’s nothing past the checkpoint and metal detector at the entrance,” said Barbour in an earlier interview. “If they can get in the courthouse they can get into the judges’ chambers.”