Courthouse Security in Nye County
In the local news last week was a story about a $175,000 grant from Senator Harry Reid for courthouse cameras and security systems at the Pahrump Justice Center. It seems that Brian Thelaner, bailiff of the Pahrump Justice Court, secured the grant money but got into some hot water for having done so. The Nye County Board of Commissioners criticized him for not getting the grant through Nye County’s grant administrator and failing to specify what the county could do with the money.
It was just a couple of weeks ago that a man entered and shot to death one of the security guards in a courthouse in Clark County.
I was a bit puzzled as to why Mr. Thelaner was getting so much heat. I am still puzzled. It was reported he said he was asked to get quotes on the cameras and security equipment last January. The article did not say who asked him.
The report indicated Nye County has two metal detectors, one each at the entrances of the two justice courts. Neither District Court is protected nor is the courthouse itself, if I understand the article correctly.
Courthouse security is a matter of public concern. Some judges carry firearms under their black robes. Bailiffs are armed. Probably some who attend the courts as spectators are armed as well, but who knows for sure? Courts daily have appearances by litigating parties, their attorneys, witnesses, and juries. As to the courthouse itself all sorts of people come and go tending to business with the Assessor, Tax Collector, County Clerk, et. al. Wonder how many, if any, of them are carrying concealed firearms, knives or lethal weapons? That the judges or bailiffs are armed does not protect members of the public or the employees of the various governmental offices in the courthouse.
The daily news frequently carries stories about shootings in courthouses. Nye County’s courthouses are not immune from such occurrences any more than those in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles or any other place.
Seems to me that Mr. Thelaner has performed a valuable public service. Most of us just assumed such public facilities were safe and secure. At least I did. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Frankly, the chastising of his effort in securing the grant money does not make sense to me. That he may have secured the grant outside the customary procedures is of little concern, to me. I am more interested in results.
One of these days a tragic event may well occur in one of the county’s courthouses or courts which could be prevented by sensible security measures as envisioned by the grant.
I do not understand why the Commissioners should criticize Mr. Thelaner because he may not have followed bureaucratic procedures in securing the grant money. Looks to me like Thelaner has performed a public service all on his own. He should be commended not criticized.
Maybe the Commissioners, on further reflection, will reconsider their stance. Maybe not. I think they should. After all, one of the primary functions of government is protection of citizens.
In this day and age safety and security is one of the prime goals that must be addressed. Better to plan ahead than to repent at leisure.
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