County Looks At Security Proposal

County budget discussions continued Tuesday with Van Zandt County Sheriff Pat Burnett presenting a courthouse security budget proposal.

Burnett’s plan would call for two additional deputies, a transport deputy and several security devices like broken glass sensors, extra cameras and x-ray machines.

However, Burnett told the county commissioners’ court that the proposal was more of an optimal plan than something immediately feasible.

"I don’t think you will be able to afford what is in this proposal this year, realistically," he said. "Also, you would not want to possibly send a wrong message.

"If you have three or four deputies in the courthouse, you’ll have as many as are on the streets patrolling now and that could send the wrong message to citizens," Burnett added.

Van Zandt County Judge Rhita Koches replied, "But if you know you are congregating people in the courthouse, you might need the security."

Burnett agreed, but added, "If something is going to happen (at the courthouse), it’s going to happen. That said, I am very concerned about courthouse security. We need it where we can build as we go."

Precinct 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr. suggested looking at two part-time positions. Burnett said that might be difficult to find, but Precinct 4 Commissioner Ron Carroll said some retired police officers in the county might be interested in such a position.

"We know we need people," Melton said about additional courthouse security staff. "We just want to find the most economical way for the county to add them."

Earlier in the discussion, Burnett also pointed out the need for enough personnel to cover the courthouse in cases of illness or vacation.

"I’m not willing to start something we can’t handle, and we have to have some kind of relief factor built into the plan. There are things that happen which you can’t plan for," he said.