The county has initiated its plan to tighten security at the courthouse.
The public must now enter the courthouse from the eastside across from Smithville City Hall at the top the handicapped ramp on the second floor. All other entrance doors to the courthouse are locked from the outside.
Constable Mark Milam, courthouse security officer, will screen all persons coming into the courthouse and they will have to go through a metal detector. The election commission remains in operation on the first floor but will soon be moving to the county complex near the offices of the county clerk, register of deeds, trustee, and assessor of property.
“The courthouse security project has come into effect. The County Courthouse will have one secure entrance. All of those looking to visit the courthouse will have to enter at the eastside entrance that faces Smithville City Hall. The general public is not allowed to have in possession any firearm or weapon, no cell phones, no bags, no briefcases, or any other item that could secure a weapon, explosive device or other ordnance,” said County Mayor Matt Adcock
“The security measure is in full effect. There are new security windows that provide for security measures, and new doors that provide better security for the building”, said County Mayor Adcock.
Last August County Mayor Adcock advocated that the basement be the only secured entrance to the courthouse but the County’s Public Works Committee instead chose the eastside second floor entrance by the handicapped ramp.
“I am concerned about handicapped persons making it up the ramp. Maybe that will not be an issue. I hope not,” said county Mayor Adcock.
Beefing up courthouse security has been of particular concern to General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Brandon Cox who has addressed the county commission and its committees about the issue several times since 2022.
Judge Cox, in August 2024 again stated his reasons for tighter courthouse security
“First, the reason I had a renewed push for security is the incident that occurred at the Monroe County Justice Center wherein a man armed with a semi-automatic rifle entered the premises and began shooting. Fortunately, Monroe County had security and the man was stopped before he hurt anyone. That would not have happened in DeKalb. That man would have had free run of the courthouse until police arrived on scene,” said Judge Cox
“I am glad to hear that there is movement to address this issue as I’ve been requesting the same since 2022. And I’m also pleased that the election commission will be getting adequate space at the complex,” said Judge Cox.
“Court business is necessarily adversarial. People fight over property, children, and their freedom in that building. And a great number of folks are not happy with decisions I or the other judges make. On top of all that we have a significant mental health crisis in our community. We have the capacity to make common-sense, cost-effective changes to address this issue now,” Judge Cox concluded.