The county board of supervisors is considering beefing upsecurity at Justice Court.

“We do need some kind of security. We have not had any majorproblems, but sometimes people get very mad,” said Justice CourtJudge Judy Case Martin.

While bringing the subject to the Lincoln County Board ofSupervisors attention Feb. 7, Constable Charles Smith said he hadthought about the lack of security for a long time, but he said aJanuary incident prompted him to come forward with hisconcerns.

A man entered the building to “settle a score” with another manthere for court, Smith said. The situation never got out ofcontrol, he said, but it easily could have. The man left thebuilding, and was later arrested by the Brookhaven PoliceDepartment on charges relating to the disturbance at the JusticeCourt Building, the constable said.

“The people who work there are concerned about (security),” hesaid.

Smith said large numbers of people filter in and out through thebuilding on arraignment and court days, and there are some dayswhen the court receives a large amount of money from finespaid.

Aside from Justice Court Judge B.J. Price, who is considered apart-time employee, court workers are all women, Martin said.

“They need to have some security in how they feel when they cometo work,” she said.

Justice Court Clerk Sharon Lofton said that although she isconcerned about security, it is not something she thinks aboutoften.

“I’ve never felt threatened, but there’s always thatpossibility,” she said. “Our building is not set up well forsecurity.”

Smith has proposed several ways to increase security in thebuilding.

Among them was the possibility of using security doors, openedwith a buzzer, at both ends of the hall that separates theadministrative office and court waiting area from the actual court.The option is weak on two counts, however. First, it impedestraffic from the waiting area to the court and, secondly, placing asecurity door at the end of the hall will leave one door into theadministrative office unsecured.

“It’s an idea, but it may not be the best one,” Smithadmitted.

While admitting the hallway poses a problem, Martin said thatoption would also be very inconvenient for workers.

“We have to go back and forth across that hall constantly,” shesaid. “But earlier (Wednesday) we had someone come in and they weredown the hall before we knew they were even in the building.”

Instead, Martin suggests supervisors consider placing a metaldetector with a guard at the main entrance. She admitted the optionmay be cost-prohibitive, “but what is a human life worth?”

Lofton did not mention a metal detector, but did say shebelieved a uniformed officer would be comforting.

“It wouldn’t hurt to have an officer here, especially on days wedon’t have court,” she said. “Usually on court days we have severalofficers waiting to testify.”

While worrying about the building security, employees are quickto point out that the sheriff’s and police departments are onlyaround the corner.

“They’ve been very quick to respond, but if someone comes in toshoot someone it’s too late,” Martin said.

Lofton admitted they had never asked either law enforcementagency for a presence.

“We try to treat everyone with kindness and courtesy,” she said.”Most times a soft voice will settle things down.”