After Courthouse Shooting, Bucks County Briefs Justice Center Security Deputies

Bucks County Sheriff Department deputies providing security to the Justice Center in Doylestown were told to always keep their eyes open the day after a courthouse attack that happened 70 miles away.

While Bucks County officials have received no threats to the Justice Center, Bucks County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Sheriff Dennis Shook said deputies were briefed at Wednesday morning’s roll-call meeting. He said they were reminded to always be cognizant, much like the Chester County Sheriff’s deputies who shot a 34-year-old man who attacked security at the West Chester Justice Center with a knife on Tuesday.

Shook’s deputies handle primary security at the Justice Center, which opened in January, from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. After-hours security at the Justice Center and full-time protection at the old courthouse across the street are handled by the Bucks County Emergency Services Security Division, who are armed under Pennsylvania Act 235.

The main lobby to the Justice Center is the public point of access, while some staff, row officers, the district attorney and judges are able to enter through a secure garage under the building. Deputies often patrol the 285,000-square-foot building that also features emergency call buttons that are available for staff. The building’s 300 surveillance cameras are monitored around-the-clock by deputies in a basement-level control room.

Sheriff deputies and security screeners make sure all Justice Center visitors and their belongings go through metal detectors. Staff have to go through a similar screening process, which is a change from the old courthouse where staff often did not have to be screened.

Deputies handling Justice Center general and courtroom security all undergo special training to deal with the threats that can arise. Shook said aside from training at the sheriff deputy academy in State College, both required and county-mandated in-services are conducted throughout the year.

In addition to the deputies, the Justice Center is often filled with law enforcement who are conducting business in the building.

Shook said deputies often work with the Central Bucks Regional Police Department, which patrols Doylestown Borough, and other local law enforcement agencies. Before the new Justice Center opened, the local SWAT team was given the opportunity to walk through the building.

“We’re talking to them on a weekly, if not daily, basis,” he said.

In 2014, sheriff deputies, police, firefighters and medics held a large-scale active shooter drill at the old courthouse. So far, a drill of that scale has not been held at the Justice Center.

Currently, Shook and other law enforcement are working to implement security procedures recommended by the U.S. Marshals, who provide security to federal courts.

To discuss security and intelligence, county officials, law enforcement and the president judge meet twice a month to talk about securing the Justice Center, which has yet to have any notable incidents.

Security at the Levittown-area district courts and Lower Bucks County Government Center near Five-Points in Bristol Township, security is provided by the Emergency Services  Security Division and local police. None of the county’s district courts have regular security screening for visitors, defendants or victims. The only cases where extra security is provided is if a credible threat has been received.

County Commissioner Chairman Robert Loughery said during 2014’s training that he believes law enforcement should always be prepared.