Mike Salsbury/The Olympian
Tim Weston of Yelm (center) discovers a cellphone in his belt after he set off a metal detector several times while attempting to pass through a security checkpoint at Superior Court on Tuesday. Courtroom security coordinator Ed McCowan (right) places the phone with Weston's other belongings.

District Court security reviewed

In response to threats, officials seek added measures

LORRINE THOMPSON, THE OLYMPIAN

THURSTON COUNTY -- Officials are exploring additional security for Thurston County District Court after learning of threats to a judge and a staff member.

A task force will meet next week to finalize recommendations for new security measures, said John Sleeter, judicial administrative officer for Thurston County Superior Court.

The recommendations will go to Thurston County Commissioners for consideration.

Security has been a concern at the District Court for a number of years, Judge Susan Dubuisson said.

Although metal detectors and security guards were added to Thurston County Superior Court several years ago, "We sort of got forgotten," Dubuisson said.

The District Court, located in a building separate from the Superior Court, handles volatile cases, such as domestic violence and anti-harassment petitions.

"Generally, those people are very angry about something," Dubuisson said.

Yet, anyone can walk in the building, Dubuisson said.

District Court has a potential for greater problems than Superior Court because that's where most domestic violence cases are heard, Sleeter said.

His experiences overseeing courts in Los Angeles taught him to be very cautious of domestic violence cases, he said.

"Almost all the shootings were in family court," Sleeter said.

Warnings

The county learned of two "specific, credible" threats -- one to a probation officer and one to a District Court judge -- late last year, Dubuisson said.

The warnings came from a corrections worker and a mental health official who heard the threats from different sources.

New security measures -- metal detectors and security guards -- for the District Court will probably resemble those for Superior Court, Sleeter said.

If the county budget could have managed it, Sleeter said, he would have liked to have explored electronic key-card access to some areas, video recording of some entrances and additional security staff.

But those measures will have to wait for better budget years, he said.

The metal detectors and security guards, if approved by Thurston County commissioners, would be a welcome change, Dubuisson said.

"People are still going to get mad when they come to the court, but at least we'll know they aren't armed."

Lorrine Thompson covers Thurston County and health for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5431.

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