5-1-2023 BOC Regular Meeting Minutes

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LEE COUNTY JUDICIAL FACILITIES SECURITY POLICY-AMENDED GOAL: To provide a safe and secure working environment for all persons visiting or working in the County Judicial facilities. JURISDICTION: The Lee County Sheriff's Office will provide primary protection and security at the County Judicial facilities but may allow assistance by other law enforcement providers if necessary. EFFECTIVE DATE: The provisions shall begin on May 1, 2023. On December 19, 2022, the Lee County Commissioners adopted a new Judicial Facilities Security Policy. This policy shall become effective on January 1, 2023 and be implemented in the Lee County Judicial Facilities. The policy is being amended to ensure all persons visiting the Courthouse must enter through the main door effective May 1, 2023. 1. All persons must enter and exit through the front door of the main Courthouse, except the Clerk of Court employees and Magistrate Office employees. All other doors are emergency exits only. 2. All persons, unless otherwise cleared through the exception above, must be cleared through the security station, including the walk-through metal detector and X-ray belt machine. All hand carried items must be processed through the X-ray belt machine. 3. No weapons of any kind, including small jackknives, scissors, key ring knives or any object that can be used as a weapon, are allowed in the Judicial facilities. This prohibition applies to all persons, even those with a valid General Concealed Weapons permit, unless expressly allowed by Chapter 14 of the N.C. General Statutes. 4. Law enforcement officers are permitted to carry their weapons only if required by law and only if they are on active duty. Upon request, any law enforcement officer may be required to provide valid identification. 5. Telephones, tablets, computers or other electronic devices are strictly prohibited in the Judicial Facilities. Courthouse personnel and attorneys are exempt from this provision as required by their employment. 6. All persons working in the Judicial Facilities or whose employment requires them to frequent the courthouse must have an identification badge for access to areas beyond that given to the general public. 7. Children under 13 are not allowed in the courtrooms unless they are involved in juvenile court or have been subpoenaed or are court ordered. 8. All persons should dress in appropriate and non-exposing attire and may be removed from the courtroom by a Judge for inappropriate dress including hats/caps, halter-tops or tank tops, cut-off jeans, shorts, or clothing with offensive wording. 9. Parking in Lot A is reserved for courthouse personnel, Judges and County Emergency vehicles and shall be accessible only by decal access authority.