Color coded vests coming to courthouse
Van Zandt County bailiffs have taken a step to prioritize citizen’s safety by asking for approval from commissioners to allow color coded vests to be worn by those who frequent the courthouse.
In the Jan. 12 commissioners meeting, Van Zandt County Bailiff Terry Jackson asked the court to consider colored vests to be worn by volunteers, maintenance workers and probationers to help increase courthouse security.
Bailiff Jackson said that the recent theft of two computers from the courthouse basement prompted preemptive action.
“Recently, we had a theft occur inside the courthouse in a hallway of the building. A gentleman walked off with two computers that were in the hallway. Luckily, we did have surveillance cameras going and we did apprehend the gentleman and place him into custody. I came in four minutes behind the guy that took the computers. I came up with the idea of being able to identify people that come to the courthouse such as probationers, volunteers and maintenance workers,” said Jackson.
Jackson said the purpose of the color coded vests is to “identify who is doing what to the courthouse.”
“We have volunteers that come up here during the holidays. They come and decorate and hang stuff up. Around that time period is when the gentleman took the computers. There are so many people walking in and out. We have trustees coming in and out, probationers, volunteers. Name tags wont don’t us much good because we don’t have the man power or personnel to do something like that. There are four ways to go in and out of the courthouse. So, if we can just identify some of the people by having them come in and sign in at my office, that would be beneficial. At least I will know who they are if they are required to sign in,” said Jackson.
Jackson said that the approximate cost of the color-coded vests would be $177 and would cover the purchase of vests used to identify probationers, volunteers and maintenance workers.
“I do want to have some sense of security to be able to identify who is who while they are in and out of the courthouse. They will have to check in with me, and have their vest issued, and then check out with me and give me back the vest,” Jackson said.
Jackson said the funds would come out of his uniform budget.
Jackson also touched briefly on the security of the courthouse in regards to the expense of the vests.
“As you all are well-aware; we are not secure at this courthouse. We haven’t been for a long time and things have changed and are changing every day. So, I am thinking that this is a small amount to pay to increase the security.”
Jackson also said that “we are not going to get into the business of vesting people who come in and out of the courthouse every day. We will not be issuing a vest for everyone that comes in and out of the courthouse. We want to identify maintenance workers, probationers and volunteers. We are basically talking about people who do physical work at the courthouse.”
Commissioner Pct. 1 Brandon Brown offered to pay for the cost of the vests out his uniform budget.
A motion was made for Commissioner Brown to pay for the vests out of a line item in his uniform budget and transfer into Bailiff Jackson’s uniform budget for a total of $177 to supply vests for contract workers, volunteers and probationers.
The motion was approved unanimously.
