Commissioners court, sheriff reach security compromise
Print- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
3 Comments
- •
Favorite- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
COMMISSIONERS ALSO:
Approved a resolution rescinding a December 1989 resolution regarding taxation of Freeport Goods.Approved an agreement with Berry Plastics Corp., Invista S.a.r.l., Dragon Rig Sales and Service and Valerus Compression Services for cash payment in lieu of Freeport Taxes.Accepted engineering ...
- SHOW ALL »
COMMISSIONERS ALSO:
Approved a resolution rescinding a December 1989 resolution regarding taxation of Freeport Goods.Approved an agreement with Berry Plastics Corp., Invista S.a.r.l., Dragon Rig Sales and Service and Valerus Compression Services for cash payment in lieu of Freeport Taxes.Accepted engineering proposals for a wastewater line project in Bloomington funded through the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program.Took no action on reinstating the burn ban and removed it from future meeting agendas.
After an hour-long closed meeting with commissioners and the sheriff, Victoria County Judge Don Pozzi announced changes are coming to courthouse security.
The announcement came after a regularly scheduled commissioners court meeting Monday where three Victoria attorneys spoke out against recent enhancements to courthouse security.
Pozzi did not elaborate on the new security measures, but said, "Under no circumstances will there be any compromise to the security in place with regard to safety."
The change is expected to be implemented within 30 days, Pozzi said.
Attorney George Filley III, who previously urged commissioners to adopt a "more common sense approach" to security, spoke again during Monday's meeting, criticizing recent explanations to the enhancements.
One reason was "anyone could have a bad day, bring a weapon to work and cause a workplace incident," Filley said. "...Not everyone working or entering the courthouse is run through even a rudimentary security sweep, much less the enhanced TSA-type ritual in place today."
While courthouse visitors, including attorneys and employees have their briefcases and purses scanned, Filley called the detailed searches of shoes, jewelry, belts and other clothing, which have resulted in long lines and delays, "the most objectionable and unnecessary."
Filley proposed issuing swipe keys to all employees for bypassing security. Delivery drivers, members of the Adult Probation Department, attorneys with the District Attorney's Office, maintenance and others regularly bypass security, he said.
Filley said if commissioners and judges "were forced to undergo on a daily basis the same screenings the rest of us are doing, this newly enacted degree of scrutiny would not last a day."
-
Print
- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
3 Comments
- •
- Favorite
- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
Comments
Cobraden: wink.
Do you not note that our leaders place loads upon the people which not even the leaders wish to or can not carry? The one who most advocates the new security is guilty of having that same bad day in the past. Who protects us from that convicted party?
And the leaders impose a yoke upon the people which not even they can carry.
February 7, 2012 at 10:13 a.m.DaleZuck:
Are you from the planet Ork? The last sentence in your comment is uncalled blind faith which does not meet the criteria in Victoria.
February 7, 2012 at 9:53 a.m.I agree, courthouse employees and elected county officials should be given a pass through security. Not one of either group has ever been arrested for a gun or drinking violation. The public can place their full faith and trust in our local officials.
February 6, 2012 at 10:59 p.m.