The Cooper County Commissioners recently approved the upgrade of security measures for the Cooper County Courthouse.
According to a news release, installation of electronic locks on the exterior doors of the courthouse has begun. Upon completion, there will be limited public access to the courthouse during business hours and after hours. These changes are being made to increase the security of the elected officials, employees, officers of the court and visitors to the courthouse and were recommended to the commissioners by the Court House Security Committee to have heightened security measures in place.
This system should be operational on or around June 1.
Visitors still will be able to enter during business hours. However, public access will only be through the High Street door to the main courthouse. This door is handicapped accessible and will be open and monitored during business hours. Visitors still will be able to exit from any of the exterior doors. Visitors to the law-enforcement center will need to enter off High Street and will be “buzzed in” from the detention center.
On Thursdays and election days, the driver’s testing and voting area will be open to allow business as usual, however access to the main courthouse and sheriff’s office will be limited. Signs will be posted on the doors and outside the courthouse to direct visitors to the proper doors.