Drizzt
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Police told to leave guns at door
Lake County judges want no guns in court, but officers warn of dangerous situations.
Associated Press
July 22, 2003
CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Judges and police officials are squaring off over a suggestion to turn Lake County courthouses into gun-free workplaces.
Judges support the idea, but officers call it dangerous.
A majority of Superior Court judges issued an order last month requiring everyone -- including police officers -- who enters county government buildings in Crown Point, East Chicago, Gary and Hammond to check their guns at the front door.
The only exceptions: the judges' own security force and officers who are escorting prisoners.
The policy has been withdrawn for additional review, but the judges stand behind it.
"It's inappropriate for police officers to come into the courtrooms with weapons on them. It's not necessary," Judge Gerald Svetanoff told The Times of Munster for a story Monday.
The judges' plan has triggered an angry reaction from some police departments.
Merrillville Police Chief John Shelhart asked the judges to reconsider in a letter to Chief Superior Court Judge James Danikolas.
Dyer Police Chief Donald Parker said in a letter to the judges that the police would put the "officers and everyone else in peril."
The Lake County Council also took the officers' side this month. The council approved an ordinance banning guns carried by the general public and non-police employees, but allowed law enforcement officers to carry weapons when on duty.
County commissioners have yet to sign that proposed ordinance into county law.
In the meantime, Danikolas agreed to withdraw the policy while judges and court security officials re-examine it.
Police have argued that some county courthouses have inadequate gun lockers and that many officers are forbidden from leaving their guns in their squad cars because they could be stolen.
Superior Court Judge John Pera said he worries about people in his courtroom reaching out and grabbing police officers' weapons when they walk by.
Not all judges agree with the no-guns policy, including Judge Clarence Murray, who said asking an officer to remove his gun showed a lack of understanding about the connection an officer has with his weapon.
"It's part of their uniform, part of their code," Murray said. "I always found it a comfort to have an armed officer in the court."
Pera disagreed.
"In my view, and I know this isn't a popular thing to say in terms of the police chiefs, but just because an incident hasn't occurred, doesn't mean one won't occur," he said.
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/1/059727-9731-009.html
Lake County judges want no guns in court, but officers warn of dangerous situations.
Associated Press
July 22, 2003
CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Judges and police officials are squaring off over a suggestion to turn Lake County courthouses into gun-free workplaces.
Judges support the idea, but officers call it dangerous.
A majority of Superior Court judges issued an order last month requiring everyone -- including police officers -- who enters county government buildings in Crown Point, East Chicago, Gary and Hammond to check their guns at the front door.
The only exceptions: the judges' own security force and officers who are escorting prisoners.
The policy has been withdrawn for additional review, but the judges stand behind it.
"It's inappropriate for police officers to come into the courtrooms with weapons on them. It's not necessary," Judge Gerald Svetanoff told The Times of Munster for a story Monday.
The judges' plan has triggered an angry reaction from some police departments.
Merrillville Police Chief John Shelhart asked the judges to reconsider in a letter to Chief Superior Court Judge James Danikolas.
Dyer Police Chief Donald Parker said in a letter to the judges that the police would put the "officers and everyone else in peril."
The Lake County Council also took the officers' side this month. The council approved an ordinance banning guns carried by the general public and non-police employees, but allowed law enforcement officers to carry weapons when on duty.
County commissioners have yet to sign that proposed ordinance into county law.
In the meantime, Danikolas agreed to withdraw the policy while judges and court security officials re-examine it.
Police have argued that some county courthouses have inadequate gun lockers and that many officers are forbidden from leaving their guns in their squad cars because they could be stolen.
Superior Court Judge John Pera said he worries about people in his courtroom reaching out and grabbing police officers' weapons when they walk by.
Not all judges agree with the no-guns policy, including Judge Clarence Murray, who said asking an officer to remove his gun showed a lack of understanding about the connection an officer has with his weapon.
"It's part of their uniform, part of their code," Murray said. "I always found it a comfort to have an armed officer in the court."
Pera disagreed.
"In my view, and I know this isn't a popular thing to say in terms of the police chiefs, but just because an incident hasn't occurred, doesn't mean one won't occur," he said.
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/1/059727-9731-009.html
Especially for those that face it everyday!
