Ohio County Plans to Increase Courthouse Security

Rural Ohio County works to increase security at courthouse.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Jan 29, 2019

An updated security plan for the Darke County Courthouse in Greenville, Ohio is being considered following a mandate from the Ohio Supreme Court. 

"I think everyone that works here likes the idea of having security," Darke County Prosecutor R. Kelly Ormsby told local news outlet The Daily Advocate. "Somebody could come in here who's angry about anything at all, and they could try to bring in a weapon."

The new security plan would likely include the establishment of one single point of entry to the courthouse that would be manned by Drake County Sheriff's deputies during business hours. These deputies would work to screen anyone trying to enter the building make sure they are not carrying a weapon or any other restricted items.

Other measures could include a centralized location equipped with video surveillance monitors where security personnel could observe events taking place on other floors and possibly a holding area for deputies to detain individuals who do not comply with the rules of the courthouse.

"In the times that we live in, you don't want to wait until after something bad happens to start doing these things," Ormsby said. "We have to protect the people who work here, as well as any members of the public who might happen to be in the building, whether for court appearances, to pay taxes or any other reason."

Ormsby said the new security measures might begin as early as June of this year, though he is not aware of a finalized plan that has been presented to county authorities yet.