09/18/2017
Dear Mr. Chuck Sweeney,
Your editorial, if not just a rambling "opinion", is a FARCE!
I say it is an opinion, because you have no idea how Courthouse security works, the duties of the Deputies, or any compassion for the safety of the Courthouse or of the Community!
When you write things like "The sheriff says he can cut $1.5 million by reducing spending on courthouse security. Why didn’t he already do that? We do not need four or five deputies standing around at the courthouse entrance twiddling their thumbs and making small talk most of the time. Put ’em in squad cars and hire a couple of private security officers." You show the mentality of a judgemental opinion. There are bad people in the world, in the United States, and even right here in This County. You really want the Security of the Courthouse to be down graded or cut to 2 private security officers!
Sir, I am one of the Deputies that Secure the Building at the County's downtown complex. Every day we process anywhere from 2000 - 3000 people and thier personal property into the Courthouse. Besides that we assist the Courts with escorts, transport people taken into custody to the jail, provide extra security to the courts, and answer calls in the Courthouse for medical, or other problems.
I assure you sir we are not "TWEEDLING OUR THUMBS!"
Security has stopped Fi****ms, pepper spray, knives, drugs, and other things from coming in to the County Buildings over the years, and continue to do so in a very professional manner. You either are not in favor of Safety in the community or are ignorent to the number of personnel it takes to secure a Courthouse. I am sure you talked to the Sheriff, however like a good little opinionated reporter, you embellished.
If the Sheriff we're to cut Courthouse Security completely, he would only save about 750,000 dollars. And that Sir is a far cry from the 4.3 million cut to the Sheriff by the County board. You need to Research your facts, and maybe stop Tweedling your tumbs - thinking you know more about a subject that the sheriff, or working a opinionated, judgemental piece of propaganda that is not a editorial. You should see both sides of the issue, and not just the Board's or a Democrat's view. But hey what's a little more crime when were the highest crime rate in the State already, or maybe it's ok to reduce security, because we haven't had a bad event at the Courthouse. If you would stop and think -that might be because of the Security in place!
Mr. Sweeney, you might be. More suited too review what you do know, but security, Manning levels, and protection should be left to those who have the training, experience, and knowledge to provide for the community's SAFETY!
I know Security Sir, and you don't know IT!
