County considers tighter control on building access
By Nick Hytrek Journal staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, November 21, 2007
SIOUX CITY -- During any business day, hundreds of people enter and exit the Woodbury County Courthouse.
After hours, when main entrances are locked, county employees still can come and go. But no one knows for sure who's coming in and how long they're staying.
"With old buildings, we know there are hundreds of keys out there," said Mark Monson, Woodbury County supervisor and member of the county's security committee.
To get a better handle on after-hours traffic, the county is considering implementing electronic access at certain doors. Such a system would allow county officials to have a better picture of who is in the building at night and on weekends, Monson said.
On Tuesday, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors opened two bids on systems ranging from $15,374 to $21,127. Those bids were forwarded to the security committee to review and make a recommendation to the board.
Some board members aren't sold on the need.
"I don't see what the purpose is. Is it just to count how many people come in and out of the building?" Supervisor Larry Clausen asked.
"It's for security," Monson said. "We can dictate who comes in and out of judges' chambers, who comes in and out of the courthouse on weekends."
He said that the system would have the capability of programming entry cards that could, for example, limit the hours of access for some employees.
The current plan calls for electronic door access at the following sites:
-- The courthouse's southwest alley entrance.
-- The north main courthouse entrance.
-- The south main Law Enforcement Center entrance.
-- One second-floor entrance to judges' chambers.
-- Four doors within the Woodbury County Information and Communication Commission, which oversees operation of the county's and city's computer systems.
Once the system, if installed, has been reviewed, the security committee would determine if it should be expanded to all building entrances.
Monson said the county hasn't had any problems with theft or disturbances after hours.
"But we are in an age of security," he said.
Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.
After hours, when main entrances are locked, county employees still can come and go. But no one knows for sure who's coming in and how long they're staying.
"With old buildings, we know there are hundreds of keys out there," said Mark Monson, Woodbury County supervisor and member of the county's security committee.
To get a better handle on after-hours traffic, the county is considering implementing electronic access at certain doors. Such a system would allow county officials to have a better picture of who is in the building at night and on weekends, Monson said.
On Tuesday, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors opened two bids on systems ranging from $15,374 to $21,127. Those bids were forwarded to the security committee to review and make a recommendation to the board.
Some board members aren't sold on the need.
"I don't see what the purpose is. Is it just to count how many people come in and out of the building?" Supervisor Larry Clausen asked.
"It's for security," Monson said. "We can dictate who comes in and out of judges' chambers, who comes in and out of the courthouse on weekends."
He said that the system would have the capability of programming entry cards that could, for example, limit the hours of access for some employees.
The current plan calls for electronic door access at the following sites:
-- The courthouse's southwest alley entrance.
-- The north main courthouse entrance.
-- The south main Law Enforcement Center entrance.
-- One second-floor entrance to judges' chambers.
-- Four doors within the Woodbury County Information and Communication Commission, which oversees operation of the county's and city's computer systems.
Once the system, if installed, has been reviewed, the security committee would determine if it should be expanded to all building entrances.
Monson said the county hasn't had any problems with theft or disturbances after hours.
"But we are in an age of security," he said.
Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
