Courthouse staff trains on building security, as judge warns, ‘Some of us are a target’

Editor’s note: This is story will be updated

By Brandi Makuski

Portage County Courthouse staff participated in an annual safety training focused on personal awareness and incident reporting.

The training, moderated by Circuit Court Branch II Judge Louis Molepske, Jr., who also sits on the county’s Security and Facilities Committee, emphasized the potential risks of working in a courthouse environment and the importance of reporting any concerning incidents.

About 60 county employees who worked inside the courthouse building attended the annual training. Molepske said he extended an invitation to city employees who also worked in the building, but none attended.

Last year, the group assembled to train on using AED defibrillators and performing CPR. This year’s training focused on personal awareness and included a brief presentation by the county’s insurance carrier, Washington Mutual, on personal safety measures.

“We work in a very dynamic institution, the courthouse, which, as you all know, can, unfortunately, be a very dangerous place to work,” Molepske said. “Some of us, judges, the county treasurer, and others, are a target for some people.”

The training highlighted the need for vigilance due to the sensitive nature of court proceedings and the potential for conflicts to escalate. Molepske reminded staff that even seemingly minor incidents should be reported to courthouse security.

Court Services is a division of the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office. Consisting of five deputies, it handles everything from arrests and warrants, inmate transportation to and from court, and security screening.

Sgt. Travis Morgan emphasized the importance of staff wearing their identification badges and remaining vigilant due to the potential for conflict in the courthouse environment.

“But there’s only so much Court Services can do, because we can’t be everywhere,” Morgan said. “So it’s up to the people who work here, and the public, the people who visit here, to keep their eyes open. If you see something, say something. That’s what we’re here for.”

Staff were advised to have a personal safety plan while in the building and walking to and from their personal vehicles in the parking lot.

The briefing also addressed security measures, including the availability of silent alarms and the “Code React” system used for emergencies. Staff were reminded of the “run, hide, fight” protocol for active shooter situations and the importance of cooperating with law enforcement during such events.

A question about security for first-floor offices led to a discussion about the challenges of providing comprehensive security throughout the building, with the need for additional resources cited as a limiting factor.

According to county records, those five deputies conducted over 32,000 security screenings in 2023, confiscating 177 knives and 50 other weapons carried by people entering the circuit court hallway.

“The public isn’t really aware of the security challenges we’re facing in the courthouse, and they should,” Molepske said.