Courthouse Starts Using New Security System

NORWALK — Officials at the Norwalk courthouse reported few problems during the first day that a metal detector and X-ray screenings were used at the building’s entrance.

No one tried to enter with any high-powered weapons, but the new security did discover nine or 10 box cutters and prevented them from being taken into the building, said Los Angeles Superior Court spokeswoman Jerrianne Hayslett.

The only other problem included people trying to leave through the building’s westside entrance, which used to be open to the public but is now closed and has an alarm, she said. The entrance is now restricted to the eastside of the courthouse.

The cost of making the necessary building modifications is expected to be about $110,000, she said. The annual cost of staffing the equipment will be about $130,000.

The courthouse is the 15th in the county to be equipped with metal detectors and X-ray machines. The Superior Court spends more than $3.49 million a year on staffing costs for weapons screening, Hayslett said.