An unexpected security upgrade at the Allen County jail and courthouse was discussed at the county commission meeting Tuesday morning. Sheriff Anthony Maness informed commissioners of the upcoming installation of a new security system that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
Maness said that a system that tracks inmates as well as enhances facility security was purchased by former Sheriff Bryan Murphy is currently being installed — a surprise to courthouse staff.
County commissioners said they were unaware of the system or its upcoming installation.
Commissioner David Lee asked if District Judge Dan Creitz was aware of the installation. “We have not had that conversation yet,” said Maness. “I wanted to make sure the commission was aware first.”
Maness said the installation “caught me off guard because I assumed that the conversations about this system had already been had with those responsible for the courthouse.”
THE NEW SYSTEM, called Guardian RFID, will be used to ensure the entrances are secure using radio waves that communicate between a tag and a scanner.
“When detention officers are walking the perimeter of the courthouse at night, they’re able to digitally track and scan that the doors have been secured with this system,” said Maness. “It’s not a bad idea — it allows for accountability.”
Maness noted there will be wireless access points at the courthouse providing officers access to the server.
“There will be an installation to an RFID chip near each one of the doors that the officer will scan and put in the information that the door is secure,” he said.
The security system itself isn’t a concern to Maness.
“I figured since it involved the courthouse, though, the commission would want to be informed of the system,” he said. He added that he wanted to give the commissioners the opportunity to voice any concerns.
“The contract has already been signed and some has already been paid on that contract labor,” he said.
AN AMOUNT of $22,000 has been paid towards the contract labor, prior to Maness assuming office. “The system itself was about $10,000 which is coming from the Inmate Trust out of the jail budget,” he said. The funds in the Inmate Trust are earmarked to be used for the safety and security of the inmates. “These aren’t tax dollars that we’re putting towards it,” Maness added.
Outside of the system and installation costs, there is an annual fee of approximately $5,300.
“If we get to a point where they are driving up this annual cost, it will be time for a revisit on if we want to continue with the system,” said Maness.
Additionally, Maness believes the impact on courthouse operations will be minimal after the system is installed.
