Parish councilman argues for more courthouse security

FRANKLIN — A St. Mary Parish Council member on Wednesday made a plea for stricter security — even any security — at Parish Courthouse entrances.

Security turns out to be more complicated than just setting up metal detectors at the doors. The next step will be discussion among the courthouse agencies that would be affected.

Also at Wednesday’s regular meeting, the council once again put off action on ordinances that would remove stop signs at two Bayou Vista intersections. And the council approved a financing agreement that will pay for equipment to be used for improving parish roads, including small roads in rural areas.

Councilman the Rev. Craig Mathews of Jeanerette raised the concern about security, saying he knows of no other courthouses where people are allowed entry without some kind of security.

The courtroom area on the courthouse’s sixth floor is protected by a magnetometer as well as sheriff’s deputies, but there is no security at entrances or other portions of the interior.

Mathews expressed disbelief that St. Mary Parish isn’t providing more security for the sake of employees as well as the public.

“It’s even more unfortunate that we are this point in this building ... after so many attacks have been launched against the American people,” Mathews said.

People are “relying on us for their safety and security. ... We can say we’re concerned and express all the valid emotions we like. But actions speak louder than words.”

Parish President David Hanagriff responded by acknowledging Mathews’ concern. But the lack of security results not from indifference, Hanagriff said, but from the different authorities outside the council’s control that are housed in the courthouse, each with different ideas about security.

Those include the St Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, the 16th Judicial District Court, the District Attorney’s Office and the Clerk of Court’s Office.

“It’s not just about finances,” Hanagriff said. “It’s about logistics. ... Nothing’s happened because we couldn’t figure out what to do.”

Hanagriff suggested getting input from representatives of the courthouse agencies and developing a plan. Councilman Dean Adams of Morgan City took it a step farther, saying all the agencies should get together to talk about their concerns.

On Dec. 12, an inmate at the courthouse for a legal proceeding died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after struggling with a deputy, Louisiana State Police said.

Chief Administrative Officer Henry C. “Bo” LaGrange said plans are underway to modify the inmate waiting area in response to the incident.

Stop signs

A final vote on two ordinances involving Bayou Vista stop signs was put off for the second time when their sponsor, Councilman Scott Ramsey of Bayou Vista, was absent for health reasons.

One ordinance would remove two stop signs from Jupiter Street at what is now a three-way stop at Columbus Street. The second ordinance would remove stop signs from Universe Road at what is now a four-way stop at Saturn Road.

The stop signs on Saturn and Columbus would remain.

Ramsey said the signs to be removed interrupt traffic and even encourage noncompliance by drivers.

Opponents have argued that the stop signs protect elderly people and children who live nearby.

Former Councilman Glen Hidalgo submitted a written objection for the public hearing scheduled for Wednesday. He encouraged council members to think how they’ll feel if an accident happens at one of those intersections.

Adams agreed.

“Take that stop sign down and there’s an accident, someone backing out of their driveway — I don’t want any part of that,” Adams said.

Roads

The council authorized Hanagriff to enter a lease- purchase agreement with Government Capital Corp. to buy an Asphalt Zipper and an asphalt distribution truck.

The Zipper can scrape up a 6-foot patch of old asphalt on the front end, crush it and lay the material back on the road. There the material can be covered with asphalt from the distribution truck.

The champion for this purchase was Councilman Rodney Olander, who has been urging parish officials to get the equipment for two years.

“Having these two pieces of equipment, we’ll be able to go in on the smaller parish roads,” Olander said.

The equipment is expected to cost about $437,000.