The lack of security was the predominant theme at Tuesday’s forum concerning the $9.95 million bond issue to expand and renovate a section of the Allen County Courthouse.
After 22 years of being warned the courthouse had “major security issues,” District Judge Dan Creitz said three things convinced him of the need to take action: The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing; the backlog of court cases from a lack of adequate courtroom space, and what he feels is an increase in violence.
“I wasn’t going to be the one to sit back and wait until something happens,” he said.
By “something,” Creitz means the use of a deadly weapon.
IOLAN TOM BEVARD resisted the notion that ironclad security measures would make for a safer — or better — world.
“I think we’re assuming things are going to get a lot worse so we should build a building that prepares for that,” Bevard said.
Bevard questioned Creitz’s perspective of calling the extra security as being “proactive” against a possible tragedy.
To Bevard, a prison minister whose career has taken him to every institution in Kansas and beyond, the proponents’ pitches bordered on fear-mongering.
“It looks to me we’re moving in a fearful way instead of looking at the facts. I want to know how many serious incidents you’ve had in the courthouse that require some kind of security,” Bevard asked the judge.
“Not a lot,” Creitz replied.
“Are we expecting worse things to happen?” Bevard asked.
“Yes,” the judge replied.
THE COURTHOUSE is a three-for-one: Administrative, judicial and jail.
According to Creitz, those most likely to pose a danger are not the inmates housed down the hallway but the warring parties in a divorce, a child custody dispute, or instances of domestic or sexual abuse.
Ordinary lives gone terribly wrong.
