Countywide

The supervisors Tuesday allocated $80,000 to improve security at the family law courts at the Vista Court Annex and El Cajon Regional Center.

The airport-type security equipment, including an X-ray machine and walk-through magnetometer, will be installed within the next few months. The security systems are designed to detect weapons and other contraband. All people entering the courtrooms will be screened. Marshal’s officers will operate the equipment.

Supervisors expressed concern that security needed to be improved at the two facilities in light of the number of weapons being confiscated at the family law court and juvenile court lobby in downtown San Diego.

Family law courts, which handle divorces and child custody, and Juvenile Court, which handles gang-related matters, are the most volatile areas of the local justice system, said San Diego County Marshal Michael Sgobba.

Since the airport-type security station was put up in 1987 at the family law court downtown, the marshal’s office has confiscated 4,469 knives, razors and other cutting weapons, 110 handguns, 126 Mace containers, 34 stun guns, 17 blackjacks, 702 miscellaneous weapons such as hatchets, and ammunition, drugs and alcohol.