Metal detectors have been installed at the entrance to the emergency department at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, according to a press release the hospital issued Monday.
The system includes a “… walk-through metal detector and hand-held detectors” to screen anyone coming in via the ER entrance, according to the release. They will be used 24 hours a day and are safe for use with medical implants and during pregnancy.
Dedicated security guards will manage the screening process at the ER entrance, Public Relations Coordinator Caroline Gillard told The Dispatch by email.
“We have employed security to help monitor or screen entrances, including our ER entrance, as needed,” Gillard wrote. “We did not need to hire new staff. This is an existing practice.”
The system is in place now, according to Gillard.
“It’s fully functional and anyone visiting our ER will be screened,” Gillard wrote.
The new security measures have been in the works for nearly a year, Gillard told The Dispatch, and are not in direct response to a July shooting in the parking lot.
“We continuously monitor security and consider ways to enhance it,” she wrote. “We started evaluating, discussing and planning to add metal detectors at our ER entrance about eight months ago.”
In July four people were shot in the BMH-GT parking lot, resulting in the hospital being locked down. Two brothers from Artesia were later arrested and charged with aggravated assault and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
“As we see more stressful situations happening in our communities, we wanted to update our security measures to enhance the safety of our facility for patients, staff and visitors,” said Madison Guyton, administrative director of safety and security at BMH-GT. “We ask that anyone planning to visit our hospital leave their weapons at home.”
All Baptist hospitals are weapon-free zones and have implemented new security measures, including cameras, training, regular security patrols and providing escorts to and from the parking lot, the press release said.
For more information, call (662) 244-1000, visit goldentriangle.baptistonline.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/Baptistgoldentriangle.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion