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Prince George's County Courthouses
The Office of the Sheriff is tasked with security of the
county's courthouses, located in
Upper Marlboro and Hyattsville, Maryland
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On an average day the Bureau of Courts Services is responsible for staffing 32 courtrooms, as well as 20 other security details throughout the facility. In addition, the Bureau receives prisoners from other facilities, transports prisoners from the Correctional Center, detains individuals for outstanding warrants, serves civil process, interviews victims of domestic violence, interviews petitioners seeking emergency psychiatric orders, and responds to disturbances in and around the Court's facilities. The agency is under court order to staff each criminal courtroom with two deputies. The order further requires that two deputies attend for all contested domestic related cases with issues involving child custody, visitation, property, or child support.
The Building Security Division provides security to the Justice Centers by screening entrants and their belongings using metal detectors, X-ray machines and a bomb dog. Controlled access equipment allows employees to enter at specific doors during peak hours. Closed Circuit Television cameras are used to view sensitive areas of the building. Roving patrols are used to keep a close check on all areas of the buildings. The bomb dog and handler are deployed to screen suspicious items.
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During court hours we monitor four entrances in Upper Marlboro and one in Hyattsville. Two control rooms in Upper Marlboro are staffed around the clock to monitor alarms, CCTV cameras, and the prisoner loading area. During non-court hours we provide access to the building at one entrance, monitor control rooms and perform security patrols.
Fire or bomb threat evacuations are labor intensive, and require a coordinated effort from personnel throughout the agency. Threats against court personnel, victims, and witnesses also require that divisions pool resources for swift resolution.
© Copyright 1999, PGOS