TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) — Wednesday's riot at the U-S Capitol building is on the minds of many. That includes those in charge of keeping the Tippecanoe County courthouse secure.
"Government sites have always been at-risk sites when it comes to the evil intentions of some," said commissioner Tracy Brown. "So, we prepare for that and take that into consideration."
Tippecanoe County leaders aren't planning to reevaluate courthouse security. Brown said the safety budget is done for 2021, and there are no plans to ask for any emergency funding.
"I'm confident that we are adequately staffed, and we continue to monitor threats on an ongoing basis," Brown explained.
Sheriff Bob Goldsmith is in charge of the building's security.
"Right now we don't have plans to ramp up any extra security or anything like that, but again, it's on everyone's mind," Goldsmith said.
The number of bailiffs increased by one this year bringing its total to 11.
"I'm very confident in the team we have down there," said Goldsmith. "They do a great job. They communicate, they're very diligent, they pay attention to the things going on around them."
We asked Goldsmith if he thought something similar to the Capitol riots could happen here.
"To plan for something like what happened at the Capitol building would take a whole team of people around every door and every window, but we have people on every floor there," said Goldsmith. "We have a screening. We have video."
He believes the current steps being taken are enough to keep people safe.
"More personnel is great, but if you use personnel and video and audio equipment where you can, that's the most beneficial to us," Goldsmith added.
He said partnerships with local police departments also add to courthouse safety.
