This month’s shootings at an Atlanta courthouse have sparked a review of security for judges in Lawrence.

“We’ve talked extensively about where the security issues are and where we have concerns,” said Robert Fairchild, a Douglas County District Court administrative judge. “But every time these incidents come to the floor, it makes us realize our vulnerability.”

The shooting in the Atlanta courthouse left three people dead: a judge, a courtroom stenographer and a deputy.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office provides security for the Douglas County Judicial & Law Enforcement Center. Douglas County commissioners plan to meet in executive session with Sheriff Ken McGovern today to discuss the matter.

“With this type of incident the only good that can come of it is if organizations like ours check our procedures and security,” said Douglas County Commissioner Charles Jones.

Whether the discussions will result in additional security spending isn’t known. And judicial center patrons may not even recognize whether security procedures have changed.

Discussing procedures could compromise the safety of the hundreds of people who pass through the center, McGovern said. The sheriff’s office doesn’t have a separate budget for security at the center. Deputies providing security are part of the department’s personnel costs.

Armed deputies are present on all floors of the building, McGovern said. He said the sheriff’s office worked closely with the judges and other agencies located in the building to ensure the safety of employees and the public.

But there have been incidents.

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Last May, sheriff’s deputies took a man to the ground in a Douglas County courtroom after he pulled a pocket knife and threatened to harm himself.

The man, a 33-year-old Lawrence resident, had just had his probation revoked by Fairchild.

Fairchild said deputies were present in the courtrooms when judges have concerns — and sometimes when they don’t.

“The deputies are very vigilant,” he said. “They know their jobs and are well-trained people.”

Fairchild said he was comfortable that the building had good security.

“I’m sure things always could be done differently,” he said. “But I’m comfortable leaving the matter in the hands of the sheriff. I’m no security expert.”

Temporary metal detectors also are placed outside of courtrooms at times. There have been past discussions of putting in a metal detector at the entrance of the building.

Commissioner Jere McElhaney said he wouldn’t favor metal detectors.

“Even with a metal detector in place, you can’t guarantee 100 percent protection,” he said. “I don’t think having one would solve all the problems, and I don’t want to fall into a false sense of security.”

The county has built up the sheriff’s reserve budget to $259,637. But the money could be used for any equipment related to law enforcement.

The county normally doesn’t build up reserves that much, said Pam Madl, assistant county administrator. But she said some security equipment could be bought with the money.

Doing the job

McElhaney added that people sometimes get upset with employees in other county departments.

“In our line of work, we deal with people,” he said. “It’s part of the job. We deal with the public. And if a person causes a disruption at the law enforcement center or any office or carries in a weapon and does physical harm — we should throw the book at those people. They should not be given a slap on the wrist.”

Fairchild noted that in every case the potential exists to make someone mad. And violent incidents involving judges aren’t limited to a courtroom.

In Chicago, the husband and mother of a U.S. District Court judge were found dead in their home Feb. 28.

“I’m not sure how you deal with that,” Fairchild said. “You can’t have guards 24 hours a day with judges, and I don’t know that we would want them. So, we’ll just keep doing our jobs.”