SOUTH BEND — Pacific County Courthouse officials are eyeing full armed security by the end of the year in an effort to bolster public safety. The courthouse has remained relatively insecure, with the only security provided for court hearings.

Pacific County Superior Court leaders, including Judge Donald J. Richter and Court Administrator Rikki Thompson, met with county officials on Sept. 23. The workshop discussed options from four agencies that provide armed security.

The meeting was spearheaded by Thompson, who has interacted with the security agencies in looking for the county’s best fit. The agencies were pulled from a state list that have been awarded security guard service contracts.

According to public records, the offers ranged from $35.43 to $85 an hour per security guard for around 80-90 hours per workweek.

Security Services NW Inc. offered two guards at $85 per hour, or one guard at $45 per hour, for a 90-hour work week at a monthly cost of $33,150 or $16,575. Oatridge Security Group offered two guards at an hourly rate of $58.57 each for 80 hours a week at a monthly cost of $20,304.27 — and additional costs for training.

Phoenix Protective Corp. provided the lowest offer: two guards at $35.43 each an hour for an 80-hour work week, for a monthly cost of $12,282.40. Allied Security Services offered two guards at $40 each for an 80-hour work week for a monthly cost of $13,866.67.

“I was most impressed with one of the lower ends, one of the cheaper companies, and not because they were less expensive, Allied Security Services,” Thompson said. “The other companies probably offered something similar, but they didn’t really state their case.”

“Like this guy, I really felt he was trying to sell themselves and cover all the points. So you get a couple of guards, they pay for the training, they pay for the uniforms, they get issued cell phones, and when they come to check in for their shift, they have to take a selfie, and there is some center that it goes to, like in Texas, that says ‘Hey, you are wearing the proper uniform, and you’ve checked into work on time.’”

Allied also installs markers at specific checkpoints on the premises that their guards have to scan with their cell phones to prove they checked the location. Allied would meet with the courthouse stakeholders to determine where the checkpoints should be located.

Pacific County Commissioners and administrative staff were on board with completing a contract with Allied. Due to hiring and training, the process from contract to full service could take 60-90 days.

In addition to the service, the county already acquired a baggage X-ray machine, which would become active and operated by Allied after collecting dust for years. The machine has sat dormant on the courthouse’s main floor since it was purchased during the covid-19 pandemic.

Access factors

The county still has several details to work out about the updated security move. The courthouse and public safety building would be locked down to one way in and out. Entrance would be at the public safety side of the courthouse, with all check-ins going through the courthouse.

Historically, the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office, which is in the public safety building, has been directly open to the public. Under the proposal, citizens would have to go through the courthouse checkpoint and then be walked over by a guard who would unlock the door and let them inside.

The proposed protocol concerns an elevator that provides access to a catwalk between the public safety building and the courthouse, which could bypass security.

Another kink being worked out is firearm storage mandated by state law RCW 9.41.300. This law requires secure premises, specifically courthouses, to provide locked firearm storage to citizens who choose to carry a pistol. The lockers are currently located in the sheriff’s office by the main window, a service the sheriff’s office has been happy to offer.

Officials are also looking into issuing IDs to all county employees to ease movement through the checkpoint, as well as changing locks to limit unnecessary access to the building. The security guards will report directly to the superior court.

The county is opting to use funds from the General Fund to cover the new expense, which is estimated to cost around $166,400 annually. Security rates will increase effective Jan. 1, 2025.