Coryell County announces new courthouse security measures

By LYNETTE SOWELL

On Friday afternoon, Coryell County Judge Roger Miller issued a press release in which he announced upcoming increased security measures for the Coryell County Courthouse in Gatesville.

The county’s new security protocols include reducing the number of access entrances to the courthouse, located at 620 E. Main St.

Effective February 3, 2020, access to the Courthouse will be limited to the front entrance on the south side (Leon Street) of the courthouse, Miller said.

Citizens will be screened at a security station inside the front door.

“We ask that all citizens exercise patience and follow the directives of the security personnel. Citizens requiring ADA compliant access will be admitted through the basement entrance on the northwest side of the Courthouse. All other access doors will be for emergency exit only,” Miller announced.

“As a reminder, items prohibited from entering the Courthouse include guns and ammunition, explosives and explosive devices, clubs, knives, tools, martial arts type weapons, and alcohol. We ask that anyone having business or required to be in the Courthouse allow themselves additional time to process through the security screening station.”

The announcement came as a result of Senate Bill 42, passed by the Texas Legislature during the 85th Legislative Session in 2017.

Known as the Judge Julie Kocurek Judicial and Courthouse Security Act of 2017, the bill made changes to several laws to increase the security of court facilities and the officials operating within them.