Locked Up Tight

Historical courthouse outfitted with modern, networked IP technology

• By Courtney Pedersen
• Sep 05, 2007

WASHINGTON County, Va., sheriff’s deputies wanted to use their security system to be proactive, rather than reactive, at the historical county courthouse. The only problem was that this courthouse had no security system, and the increase in weapons was becoming a greater risk to safety.

Dealing with violent tempers is not uncommon in court proceedings, and the inmate transfer process to holding cells and courtrooms needed an upgrade. The historical building had too many means of entry, as new wings and doors had been added over the years. The Historical Society also had strict rules for renovations that created special needs for the installation.

The solution came in the form of funding from the Department of Homeland Security, which covered the costs for a new security installation. Following a committee meeting and the bid process, Dynamark Security was selected to come up with a plan. According to Stewart, they had the best technology and exactly what the department wanted. Cameras have been set up in the courtrooms and in each of the waiting areas. The county has eight officers on duty every day, and there is at least one person at the main entrance and work station monitoring the Milestone security system.

Dynamark installed install a networked security system that uses approximately 30 Vivotek and Axis network cameras managed by Milestone XProtect Enterprise IP video surveillance software. A Galaxy access control system—at the Sally Port with an intercom buzzer—and a metal detector at one main public entrance were installed. All other exits were turned into fire exits.

“We like being able to watch what’s going on by using the system to respond fast before things get out of control,” said Washington County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Don Stewert. “We can see everything that’s happening anywhere around the building for full control over our security.”

Sheriff’s officers now have full overview and control of whatever happens throughout the courthouse’s many venues, whether it involves stopping weapons at the front door, monitoring inmates being transported and kept in the holding cells or keeping courtroom proceedings secure. The officers are handling all the security risks proactively.

Preserving History
Why the big concern of having such strict rule over the property? The courthouse is located in Abingdon, Va., and was named for the English home of Martha Washington, wife of the first president of the United States. With buildings dating back to the 18th century, Abingdon features a 20-block historic district that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Anchored at the main intersection is the dignified Washington County Courthouse.

Because of the historical nature of the building, doors and other woodwork could not be drilled into for camera installations. The historical society had to give special authorization to replace the main doors to improve protection. That, in turn, meant the solid oak doors had to be remade by a special craftsman, who did it exactly like the original builders had in 1858.

“In 2004, a letter was written to the Washington County Board of Supervisors, indicating we really had to take charge of the courthouse because we continued to have escalating problems,” Sheriff Fred Newman said. “There was a shooting in the Atlanta Courthouse, and a Tennessee correction officer was shot while transferring a prisoner, not to mention a judge’s family member was recently killed up north. Ongoing events like that come on top of the 9/11 tragedy, which already raised security awareness and made funding available.”

“Before, we had no security system besides ourselves being here, but we can’t be physically everywhere at once,” Stewart said. “The new surveillance system gives us all those extra eyes from the cameras and proof in the system.

“If something happens, we just click to see the images on a bigger view in the HotSpot Window to check out what’s going on and then respond, if necessary. With cameras in the hallways, stairwell and rooms, we’ve got it all covered.”

And Throw Away the Key
The county has had its share of security woes, but nothing that the bailiffs haven’t been able to handle. With the metal detector at the main entrance, officers have the upper hand and don’t have to wait until something happens to get control.

Along with getting a handle on weapons, county officers have responsibility for escorting inmates from the regional jail, which is about five miles up the road. A special drive-in entrance, or Sally Port, was built downstairs where a prisoner is secure at all times. Once law enforcement is in the Sally Port, an inmate is escorted through a secured hallway to the holding cells.

“A really good thing with the security system is the complete control it gives us over the inmates coming in,” Stewart said. “We can watch the prisoners get out of the vans and into the building. With this security system, we can watch them all the way to the holding cells. We also can observe inmates while they are being moved from the holding cells to the courtroom.”

With the installation of fiber-optic cable, an upgraded officers’ radio system and an access control system completed, stories still abound about the building being haunted. But at least courthouse security personnel can rest assured that their surveillance capabilities won’t be their worst nightmares.

“We haven’t seen anything on the video that could prove ghosts, though,” Stewart said.