Updated courthouse security policy approved by Cerro Gordo supervisors

MASON CITY — The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors today approved a policy implementing security protocols for the courthouse front entry.

The project updating the security of the front entry was completed in October and included the installation of four double doors, with two doors leading inside and two others leading outside. A metal detector has been in place inside the entry, but it’s not been formally utilized because an official policy needed to be approved.

The policy states that all visitors to the courthouse shall be screened for firearms and other dangerous weapons upon entry to the building, with firearms being banned from the courthouse with appropriate signage being posted. Part of the debate leading up to approving the policy was whether it should restrict bags and backpacks from being brought into the courthouse, but it was finally determined that bags and backpacks would be subject to further scans if the metal detector goes off.

County chief administrative officer Tom Meyer says the changes start next week. “Effective April 1, the metal detector will be in full use for people coming in. Firearms and weapons are not allowed in the courthouse as of April 1. Anybody who comes through the metal detector, if it goes off, they’ll have to remove things from their pockets, put them in bins, go back through.”

Meyer says people should at times anticipate a short wait to get through the line coming into the courthouse.  “So there could be some people that have to wait a minute or a few seconds until we work with those people. Deputies will be working with citizens who set off the alarm. We just want the public to know that it could slow down potentially entrants periodically. But effective April 1, no weapons or firearms allowed in the courthouse.”

The Sheriff’s Office will provide security with at least one armed security officer in the courthouse at all times during regular business hours and at any other time when the restriction on firearms and/or dangerous weapons is in effect.