McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Police/Courts

October 23, 2012

Commissioners learn about security issues at the courthouse

By Jeanne LeFlore Staff Writer

McALESTER — The Pittsburg County courthouse is a ‘tactical nightmare,’ according Richard Bedford undersheriff for the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Department.

Bedford went before the Pittsburg County commissioners during their regular meeting on Monday morning at the Pittsburg County courthouse.
Bedford said although the courthouse is ‘aesthetically pleasing,’ there are just too many windows, doorways and halls.
“This building would be a tactical nightmare to secure,” Bedford said.
He said he wanted the commissioners to listen to what he had to say and then at next week’s meeting, possibly vote on allowing a training to prepare employees in case of a security threat, such as what happend last week.
On Thursday several officers spent the night on alert at the courthouse after a Tulsa man, who was scheduled to appear at the courthouse on Friday, allegedly made a threat. 
He said Thursday’s security threat was just a warning and there needs to be a protocol in place for employees and others to know what to do when a dangerous situation such as that one occurs.
“A threat was made a we took precautionary measures,” Bedford said on Friday.
Meanwhile, during Monday’s meeting Bedford said although disaster safety is taught to the employees, he asked the commissioners to consider allowing him to set up a day to help teach the employees what to do in case of this type of an emergency. 
“A real active shooter is not a tornado, it’s different,” Bedford said.
“Here’s the deal, some employees don’t know their way around this courthouse. We need a protocol in place so people know what to do”
And he said the courthouse would not be safe if a gunman should decide to take aim.
District 18 District Attorney Farley Ward agreed with Bedford. 
“It is extremely important that this is dealt with as soon as possible, Ward said.“It would be terrible if something happened that we could have prevented.”
District 2 Commissioner Kevin Smith and Commission Chairman Gene Rogers both said that they agreed with Bedford’s statements.
“I think we need to put safety first,” Rogers said.
Bedford said he would try to get something on the agenda for the commissioner’s next meeting.
Also Monday’s meeting was District 3 Commissioner Ronnie Young.
Pittsburg County Commissioners meet every Monday at 9 a.m. in the county commissioner’s conference room at the Pittsburg County courthouse. The meetings are open to the public.
For more on this story, see the print or electronic editions of the McAlester News-Capital. Click here for print edition home delivery or click here to see the Smart Edition for your computer, tablet, e-reader or smartphone. Contact Jeanne LeFlore at jleflore@mcalesternews.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Police/Courts
Seasonal Content
AP Video
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
NDN Video
Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in Kansas Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Beyonce Is Pregnant! SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion Woman tricked into taking abortion pill Emma Watson Goes Pantless IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.