Courthouse Shooting Sparks Security Reviews

Courthouse Shooting Sparks Security Reviews

After an ambush shooting outside a courthouse in Steubenville, Ohio, lands a judge in the hospital, neighboring Belmont County is rethinking security standards.

  • Aug 23, 2017

After an ambush shooting outside a courthouse in Steubenville, Ohio, lands a judge in the hospital, neighboring Belmont County is rethinking security standards.

Judge Joseph J. Bruzzese Jr., who sits on the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas, was shot on Monday when a man ran up to him outside of the courthouse and began shooting. Bruzzese drew a gun and fired at least five rounds at the shooter who authorities identified as Nathaniel Richmond.

Richmond was struck three times and killed when a probation officer as well as the judge fired rounds at him. Jefferson County Sheriff Fred J. Abdalla told reporters it was not clear whether one of Bruzzese’s bullets hit Richmond.

Bruzzese was taken into surgery after the shooting, according to police. He was in stable condition Monday afternoon and is expected to survive.

Authorities still do not know what the motivation was behind the ambush shooting. Richmond is father to one of two teenagers found guilty in Steubenville’s high-profile rape case in 2013, however, Bruzzese had “nothing at all to do with that particular case,” Jane Hanlin, a prosecutor for Jefferson County, said during a briefing.

The question Belmont County leaders are asking now is: where do you draw the line when it comes to safety?

The Ohio Supreme Court issued a ruling on courthouse security years ago, but specifically for the inside of such county facilities.

"Inside, I think we're very safe. I feel very comfortable with the deputies that we have inside and the deputies that come along with court proceedings, the monitors that we have, the cameras throughout the courthouse,” Belmont County Commissioner Mark Thomas said. “This courthouse is very well protected."

But outside security, as demonstrated by Monday’s shooting in Steubenville, is more difficult to control.

"It would really be difficult to take security to the exterior of the building to protect any elected official or even our residents," Thomas said, "because where do you draw the line?"

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.