One of Oktibbeha County’s courthouses could be beefing up security in the coming months.
Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, visitors to the Oktibbeha County Circuit Courthouse may soon be seeing security cameras throughout the building.
Titled Fiscal Year 2012 Investment Funding Request Through the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, the grant does not have a set amount. However, the funds are limited to items dealing specifically with security.
County Administrator Don Posey says county officials are working closely with the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District in determining how many security cameras will be needed before the grant’s July 31 deadline.
Posey said the cameras will be limited to inside the building but will not be confined to the two courtrooms.
Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Chadd Garnett says that while the cameras will be an added bonus, they will not decrease the need for bailiffs, saying, “The cameras are more of a situation if something happens, it’s recorded. It gives us lead and a suspect.”
The Circuit Courthouse currently has metal detectors at the main entrance and a minimum of eight bailiffs present when court is in session.
Circuit Court began yesterday and is scheduled for the next two weeks.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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