Philadelphia judges, citing security lapses, order sheriff to implement a new safety plan
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Philadelphia judges concerned about security lapses at city courthouses have ordered the sheriff to address what they call a rising number of assaults, threats and staffing shortages that lead to court delays. The judges, in a court order published this week, say the sheriff’s “systemic failures” to staff the criminal courthouse, family law center, City Hall courtrooms and other sites pose an “imminent threat” to public safety. They tracked 72 security incidents in Philadelphia courts last year and expect to end this year with even more. By comparison, there were 25 security incidents reported in 2019 under a predecessor, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In one alarming incident caught on video in February, two men brawled in a hallway at Philadelphia Family Court while another man lied on the floor, seemingly unconscious, and a lone security officer tried to regain control. Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal has said the staffing problem is part of a national shortage of police officers and has sought more funding to recruit, train and employ more people. Lawyers and court officials say the lack of staff has led to frequent trial delays, frustrating not only those who work in the court system but witnesses, victims and defendants as well.
“The emotional cost to victims’ and defendants’ families waiting for hours for their opportunities to give victim impact testimony or address the court is unquantifiable,” Common Pleas Judge Barbara McDermott told The Philadelphia Inquirer this fall.
