Wood County officials renew efforts to secure courts, offices

1/28/2005

BOWLING GREEN - Wednesday's shooting at DaimlerChrysler's Toledo North Assembly plant prompted Wood County commissioners yesterday to renew discussions of increasing security at the courthouse and county office complex.

Commissioner Tim Brown said Wood County needs to follow Lucas and Hancock counties, where courthouses have limited entrance points and everyone entering the building passes through a metal detector.

"An incident like that shouldn't be politicized but should be used to drive home the point that at any time, any place, some kook can come in and do something like that," Mr. Brown said.

In a meeting with county Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, Mr. Brown said commissioners would be supportive if he decides it's time to implement a full security plan.

In June, the county opened a $2.2 million atrium that links the courthouse, county office building, and county records center. Commissioners wanted a single, secured entrance off North Summit Street, but some officials resisted, saying it would discourage the public from using the buildings and would be a burden for employees.