Residents appreciate the Douglas County Commission’s efforts to keep a tight rein on the county budget. However, providing additional manpower to operate new security equipment at the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center seems a wise use of taxpayer money.

Sheriff Ken McGovern told commissioners last week it would cost more than $200,000 to adequately staff a new metal detector and a $30,000 X-ray machine obtained through a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant. Commissioner Charles Jones questioned whether the county could budget that much but said the commission was committed to getting the new equipment into operation.

This, of course, raises the question of why the costs of manning the new security equipment weren’t addressed before the devices were obtained. Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing? Some better communication appears to be called for.

It’s unfortunate that the county has to budget for added security, but it is a reality of modern life, even in Lawrence, Kan. Courtrooms and law enforcement offices are obvious flash points for outbursts that can be both emotional and dangerous. The new X-ray and metal-detection equipment is a reasonable step to try to reduce the risk of deadly incidents like those that have occurred in other courtrooms around the country.

Even in a tight budget, funding to get the equipment up and running is something county residents should support.