Jan 17, 2019 2 min read

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The Fayette County commissioners are continuing efforts to strengthen security in the county’s seven magisterial district courts.

On Thursday, Commissioners Angela M. Zimmerlink and Vincent Vicites voted to update constable handbooks and asked the court to assist in approving security at the offices. Commissioner Dave Lohr was absent from the meeting

Zimmerlink and Vicites voted to amend the Fayette County Constable Handbook to reflect the added security guidance policies constables will need to follow when providing security to the magisterial district judge offices.

The commissioners placed nearly $350,000 in the 2019 budget to address security issues at the district courts following a September shooting at a Masontown magisterial district judge’s office that left several injured and the gunman the only fatality.

The commissioners also voted to allow the courts to either approve having constables perform security duties at the district court offices, or have armed security fill those needs with Ideal Investigations & Security Group LLC out of Allegheny County.

Vicites said bullet-proof glass to additional security cameras may also be needed at some of the offices, but it will be up to the courts to decide what is necessary with commissioners providing the funding.

“Each of the seven district court offices have different needs,” Vicites said, adding that the courts can go with constables, the security group or use both, if the need arises.

In other business, the commissioners unanimously voted on two public works projects including $258,360 for the replacement of a canopy over the east entrance of the Fayette County Courthouse to include masonry repair done by Allegheny Restoration Inc. and placement of the canopy to be done by Donald M. Miller.

They also approved the bid of J.B. Mechanical out of Washington, Pennsylvania, for $255,000 to replace the air conditioning unit in the Federal Building complex.

Vicites said the bid was the lowest of four bids and came in lower than the anticipated cost of the project.