Lakewood Judge Demands Better Security For His Court

LAKEWOOD, OH — A shotgun, at least two knives and other weapons have been brought into Lakewood Court recently, according to Judge Patrick Carroll. The judge now wants better security at Lakewood City Hall, where his court is located.

The problem with simply increasing security at city hall, or making it more difficult to access the facility, is the location of the city's court, Mayor Mike Summers told Patch. The court facility is currently sandwiched between two floors of city government, a government that Summers said wants to remain open to its constituents.

Finding a balance between both security and public access has led to an ongoing debate between Summers' office and Carroll. (To stay up to date on these stories, subscribe to the Patch Lakewood newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

An Ongoing Discussion

Last week, Lakewood Judge Patrick Carroll sent a letter to members of city council urging them to increase security at city hall. In his letter, Carroll says several weapons have been brought into his court, including a shotgun. He also says that all government buildings are targets for possible violence.

Prior to Carroll's October letter, both Summers and Carroll held discussions on how to improve security. They apparently met in mid-August, according to emails obtained through a public records request. During that meeting, Summers raised the possibility of creating a wall that would section off city hall from the court. The mayor told Patch that plan is still being explored for feasibility and cost.

"How we secure this building, in light of the way it’s used each day, makes it more challenging," Summers told Patch. "One of the things that we’re considering is dividing the first floor of the building from the rest of the city hall."

The court floor would then become Carroll's responsibility.

Carroll responded in August saying he wanted metal detectors installed in city hall, after two people attempted to carry knives into the court's probation department. He says they were able to enter city hall with the knives. The weapons were only discovered when the two people were wanded by court security.

Additionally, a man brought an unloaded shotgun into the court, Summers said, to be entered as evidence in a case.

"Without metal detectors for City Hall, we cannot know what other weapons are being brought into City Hall," Carroll concludes an August 22 email to Summers.

In a letter in August responding to some of the judge's concerns, the mayor's office, along with Police Captain Gary Sprague and Fire Marshal Tim Dunphy, laid out some other possible security changes.

Those changes included creating a single point of entry into court facilities, accompanied by a magnetometer (a metal detector) and possibly an X-Ray machine. The letter recommends the court pay for these changes. There were also recommendations for changing how the probation department is accessed, waiting areas for the court and changing side door access to the court.

Carroll responded quickly to the letter, saying in an emailed response, "Since your email this afternoon, I was informed through the Lakewood Police of another possible threat by a person on probation to this court. Although the threats were directed primarily to federal and common pleas court judges, the threats are both real and serious. It is not, however a “court issue”. Whether court or other business in city hall, a person seeking a building permit, paying a fine or conducting other city business have no choice but to come to city hall to do so. We have an obligation to their safety. This can easily be accomplished by installing metal detectors at all entrances. The minimal intrusion will not deny access to anyone who wants to come into this building for a legitimate purpose, but will assure their safety."

The judge also said he was forming a Security Advisory Committee. Both Summers and city council liaison to the committee Dan O'Malley said no meetings of the judge's committee yet been held.

From his perspective, Summers said he has never felt unsafe in city hall. O'Malley deflected the question but did say, "Our top priority should be creating a safe environment for people to come to work in and for people to engage their local government."

Current Security

City hall currently has a security guard on-staff. There are also panic buttons scattered throughout the facility, all of which alert the police department to an incident.

The building also has video surveillance, Summers said. Staff also undergo active shooter training, put on by Office Pat Fiorelli. However, city hall employees have not received active shooter training in approximately 18 months, Summers said. He added that he wanted to see the training conducted again soon.

The court has baliffs and security of its own, most of whom are retired Lakewood Police, Summers told Patch.

Renewed Debate

On Oct. 10, Carroll sent a letter to Lakewood City Council asking for legislation to be passed that would increase security at city hall. He notes the majority of violent conduct at the building comes from visitors to Lakewood Court. However, he adds, the court is not the only source of violence.

He writes that he has seen individuals come to city hall angry over income taxes, parking ticket, building permits, animal restrictions and more.

Summers said most of the issues referenced by Carroll are under the court's purview. He told Patch most of the anger and possible violence he has encountered come from people leaving the court to complain to the mayor.

"The court deals with the problems of the community. That's it's purpose," Carroll writes. "These problems, however, often include violence, substance abuse and mental health issues. Violent conduct as well as its source is unpredictable."

However, both sides do seem willing to work together to try to find the delicate balance between security and public access. Summers has repeatedly said the issues raised by Carroll are valid. Carroll has said he wants to work with the administration and city council to ensure security measures are in-place.

"Whatever we can do to make city hall more safe and more secure would be a good thing," O'Malley told Patch. "I’ll be interested to see some of the proposals put forward."

Judge Patrick Carroll did not respond to Patch's request for an interview.

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch