Scottsboro, Alabama - October 1, 2018 - Jackson County Commission Work Session, Courthouse Security UPDATE - October 4, 2018

Jackson County Courthouse, North Entrance, photo by G. Morgan

Jackson County Presiding Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Holt expressed concerns that civilian security guards performing security functions, instead of Sheriff's Department Deputies, does not coincide with the approved Jackson County Courthouse Security Plan. Jackson County Circuit Courts photo, Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.

Jackson County Sheriff Chuck Phillips expressed his concerns at the Jackson County Commission meeting today regarding removing Sheriff Deputies from Court House Security and replacing them with civilian security guards. Photo by Jackson County Sheriffs Department, Facebook. Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.

AGENDA

 Hot Topic Issues

--Retired Employees to receive a $300 one time retired pay increase discussed. 

--Off premises alcohol sales discussed for Lake Shore Water Craft Rental, one commissioner expressed concerns regarding off premises alcohol sales. Is Lake Shore Watercraft Rental a store or a boat rental business?

VIDEO

COURTHOUSE SECURITY - OPEN MEETINGS ISSUE

Listen closely to the Commission video. The commissioners are submitting "double talk" to the Presiding Judge and Sheriff. "We have to do something about the cost of security," said commissioners. But yet the Security Committee has not met regarding the issue, and neglecting the fact there is a previous resolution involving Court House Security. The Presiding Judge nor Sheriff have not been brought into the discussion, both are on the Security Committee.

It has also been brought forward there were personnel and legal issues involving security, not disclosed in meetings. What is that about?

Commissioners have increased contract services in the General Budget, and due to the comments regarding contract security, there is the appearance that Contract Courthouse Security, at least one vendor has been contacted, discussions may have occurred outside of the work session or regular commission meeting prior to the September 25, 2018 meeting.

Serial phone calls or email exchanges where commissioners discuss topics in a series of communications passed from commissioner to commissioner, a quorum (in this case 3 including the Chair), and the topic will come before the public body, is a serial meeting. Note page 5 of the ACCA Open Meetings Handbook. http://www.alabamacounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Open-Meetings-Law-Primer_rv.pdf

All things Courthouse Security from this blog, 9 1/2 years of everything from right wing extremist Democrats (Yes, Democrats may be right wing extremist.) to censorship when Courthouse Security topics were raised on forums, no longer in existence.  https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Courthouse%20Security

EXACTLY WHAT TYPE OF PRIVATE SECURITY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

Cropped photo of armed militia serving as security, neo-nazi right wing extremist rally, in contravention of state law. (Fair Use of photo for non-profit news reporting and commentary from Politico.)

There has been no discussion about any private security firm name, qualifications or cost. However, when one commissioner was asked about qualifications he indicated the fictitious or not so fictitious security firm has been vetted by the FBI and would be armed and their cost was lower than Sheriff's Department. Armed Security other than law enforcement is illegal in the Jackson County Courthouse. Reference: https://arklite.blogspot.com/2018/09/scottsboro-alabama-september-24-2018.html