11/7/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ir" NOV °d 11999 BOOK 78 PAGE. -7 gotten at least one opinion that questions whether or not this Board can be ordered to spend taxpayers' money on this issue, and he personally did not feel that is a proper function of the judges. Commissioner Bird commented that he would like to hear the pros and cons re what is being requested because, to be honest, at this point he is confused and does not know what way he is going to vote. Commissioner Scurlock noted that he understands the diffi- cult position the Chairman was in, and he felt that Chairman Wheeler did an excellent job working with the Judges to bring a proposal back to the Board, but in spite of that, he still can't support what is recommended. Commissioner Bowman did not believe what is proposed will work. If someone wants to get a judge, there are other ways to do it. Tom Willis, Deputy Court Administrator for the 19th Judicial Circuit, informed the Board that they are very concerned about security, not just for the judges, but for the people using the courtroom facilities. In the last month in St. Lucie County 66,578 people have gone through their courthouse, and they have taken 1,314 weapons from those people. Commissioner Scurlock wished to know what type weapons were confiscated, and Mr. Willis advised there were no firearms, but there were 437 bladetype weapons, 7 impact weapons (blackjacks, lead pipes, etc.) and 12 cans of mace. Commissioner Scurlock noted that he personally always carries a pocketknife which would qualify as a bladetype weapon,. and he believed many other people do also. Mr. Willis further reported that in Martin County in the 9 months the new courthouse has been in operation, they have had 74,198 people go in courtrooms themselves and have taken 1,231 weapons from them of the same variety. The point he wished to make is that people are armed and are in the court facilities, 32