New Security Entrance at the Hood River County Courthouse
Courthouse Security Vestibule
Hood River County Courthouse’s new, secure entrance opened officially on January 9th. The new vestibule requires all visitors to go through security screening before entering the facility. Screening, like that performed by TSA at airports with x-ray and metal detector equipment, is meant to ensure weapons and contraband are not brought into the building.
The new entrance is now the only public access to offices and courtrooms housed in the building. A roof extension shields visitors from rain or snow, and improved ADA accessibility is also part of the design. The building’s former main entrance doors are permanently locked from the outside and serve as an emergency exit.
DPI Security staff officer Carlos Becerra (left)
and lead supervisor Dakota Ambers provide
TSA like security screening inside the new vestibule
Small by design at just over 100 square feet, the entrance is staffed by security personnel all hours the building is open to the public. To provide the entrance screening, Hood River County and the Sheriff’s Office has entered into a contract with a third party, DPI Security.
“This is a public building, and we want the public to be and to feel safe,” said Sheriff Matt English, who managed the project for the County. Random screenings in past years found a disturbing number of courthouse visitors carried restricted weapons into the building. Since implementing the new system, a total of 1,225 individuals have been screened from January 10-31. From these screenings, 125 weapons and prohibited items have been found on visitors, including two firearms. Intentionally bringing a firearm or other weapon into a courthouse is a Class C felony in Oregon.
The three-story building houses multiple county and state departments such as the Hood River County Circuit Court for the 7th Judicial District (with two main courtrooms upstairs), the Sheriff’s Administration, Enforcement, Parole and Probation and Emergency Management Divisions, Hood River Prevention Department, District Attorney, and the Juvenile Department.
The Courthouse Security Capital Improvement project was funded by the local option levy approved by Hood River County voters in May, 2020. Security of the aging courthouse, built in 1954, has long been a concern in the community and statewide. A 2008 study noted the structure’s poor shape among judicial buildings statewide, mainly due to security concerns and seismic deficiencies.
Thanks to the community for its patience during this project.
Courthouse staff react to enhanced security
Since the opening of the new security entrance, a collective sigh of relief is evidenced by several key officials who work in the building.
Judge John A. Olson
“Courthouses are places where emotions sometimes run high, and people can act out before they think. The new security entrance—which will help ensure that people don’t enter the courthouse with weapons—represents a vast improvement in safety for courthouse employees, litigants, jurors, witnesses, and the general public. I’m grateful to everyone who had a part in making the new security entrance a reality.” - Judge John A. Olson has served the 7th Judicial District in Oregon since 2011
Judge Karen Ostrye
“I am grateful to Sheriff English and his team for creating the new security entrance for our community. The first docket I presided over knowing no one in my courtroom was carrying a weapon felt markedly different. I no longer need to be hypervigilant about the threat of weapons while doing my work.” - Judge Karen Ostrye has served Oregon’s 7th Judicial District since 2014
Rian Beach
“The Hood River Circuit Court very much appreciates the efforts and resources that the Sheriff’s Office and Hood River County have put forth in making the security project a reality. Our staff and judges often deal in tense situations, and it is reassuring to know going forward, that the potential use of dangerous weapons is minimized on a daily basis. The security entrance is a positive step in providing all users of the courthouse a safe environment.” - Rian Beach, Trial Court Administrator for Oregon’s 7th Judicial District