COLUMBUS, Miss, (WTVA) --The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors have taken a big step in providing security in the building all year long.
Sheriff Mike Arledge says supervisors voted Monday to provide funding to hire and train a deputy to work only at the courthouse.
He says the person would have the authority to make arrests if necessary.
Arledge says the board discussed possibly hiring a private security firm to handle security, but in the end felt hiring an extra deputy was the best solution.
The sheriff tells WTVA.com with salary, uniform costs, weapons costs, and insurance and other benefits, the total cost would run about $45 to $50 thousand per year.
He says the person hired would staff the courthouse from 8 a.m. til 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
Arledge says supervisors will also discuss the possibility at their next meeting of hiring a bailiff full-time to assist the deputy.
Bailiffs currently only serve when court is in session, and part of their job is to operate the metal detectors at the courthouse.
Arledge says they are also reviewing other measures that could be taken to help with security in the building.
