Courthouse ordered to close all entrances but front door
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All entrances except the front entrance into the Bledsoe County Courthouse are to be closed whenever General Sessions, Circuit Court, and Chancery Court are in session as ordered by the Judges of the 12th Judicial District.
Of the 12th Judicial District six counties, two hold court proceedings in the county courthouse – Bledsoe and Grundy County. Franklin, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie counties all hold court in Justice Centers accessible by the public through one entrance. While Bledsoe and Grundy counties utilize their courthouses with other county offices conducting business daily.
Due to a recent incident in Grundy County where a person entered the courtroom with what appeared to be an AK47 firearm, the judges felt it necessary to order Bledsoe and Grundy counties to take measures to ensure the safety of all during court proceedings.
According to the Order, Grundy County has provided additional security during judicial proceedings at the request of the Judges of the 12th Judicial District.
Since Bledsoe County has no secure entrances and access to the Courthouse and the courtrooms are through four doors located at the front, rear, and sides of the building, it has been ordered all doors of the courthouse be locked except for the front door during court proceedings and when governmental business is being conducted.
Bledsoe County is ordered to acquire a magnetometer and place it at the entrance to inspect those entering the courthouse and their possessions or to detect weapons or other items which could be utilized to threaten or harm judges, clerks, litigants or individuals.
The County must acquire hand wand scanners for use to scan and inspect individuals entering the courthouse with the costs for them to be paid from Bledsoe’s general fund, the Courtroom Security Fund of Bledsoe County, or the Bledsoe Courthouse Maintenance Fund.
Sufficient security personnel to staff the entrance and checkpoint are to be provided by the County and the Sheriff’s Department, states the order. These persons would perform the safety scans and inspections.
Trained, certified court officers are to be provided by Bledsoe County and the Sheriff’s Department. They will provide security for judges, clerks, staff, litigants and individuals present during court proceedings.
The order was signed by Circuit Court Judge Justin C. Angel, Circuit Court Judge John Harvey Cameron, Jr., Circuit Court Judge Bradley D. Sherman, Cancellor Melissa T. Willis, Magistrate Russell Anne Swafford, and General Sessions Judge Howard L. Upchurch.
Bledsoe County Mayor Gregg Ridley said all entrances except the front door of the courthouse will be locked Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as ordered by the Judges of the 12th Judicial District.
