MILTON — A scheduling issue Tuesday between two Santa Rosa County judges resulted in doubled security and visitors turned away at the courthouse doors.
Typically, judges’ clerks work together to set docket days a year out, according to Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court Don Spencer. A docket is a list of pending cases.
“This is just something that happened that two big docket days happened on the same day,” Spencer said.
Fortunately, the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office was able to handle the additional security necessary according to Public Information Officer Rich Aloy.
“The special ops division got together,” he said. “We planned accordingly. We had to double our manpower at the courthouse.”
Normal courthouse security staff is about 10 to 12, Aloy said.
“So that day we had 24 (with) four extra at the front door alone,” he said.
The total number of inmates transported to and from the jail was over 130, with normal numbers around 60, according to Aloy.
Cooperation from attorneys helped, too.
“They knew (the) case load was heavy and voluntarily … took other docket days,” Aloy said.
Replacing the courthouse has been the topic of conversation and debate for roughly 20 years, one of the complaints being the size of the building.
“I spent half the day there … Civilians, viewers and staff (used) the bathroom,” Aloy said. “Prisoners had to go to the bathroom. There were civilians next to four prisoners in the same bathroom. That’s a security issue. I don’t know how the general public feels going to the bathroom next to (someone) about to be sentenced.”
The additional security left other areas vulnerable, according to Aloy.
“The price tag for the courthouse came from patrol on the street.”
Spencer recognized it was a busy day but nothing abnormal.
“Everything worked as it was supposed to … I think they had 1,200 some people come through,” he said. “I've been there when they had 1,800 come through the building. It was nothing unusual. I don't consider it a newsworthy event.”
He did recognize the frustration from supporting family.
“The family members that went to see what's going on, they can't get in the courtroom. Some were sent home … There wasn't room in the courthouse for all the defendants and family members.
“Everybody's stressed out. Family is stressed. They don't know what’s going to go on with their loved ones. Security was telling them they can't go in.”
The Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office didn’t want a criminal element taking advantage of the situation.
“That’s the reason why we had to go above and beyond,” he said. “We planned for the worst and expected the best. The whole intention was to make sure that does not occur.
“Knowing the types of cases, we had to make sure we had additional security. There were plenty of people and vehicles if something did occur. All of that was part of the decision-making process.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Courthouse sees doubled security for heavy caseload