Order in the (court) house

Maintaining order in the court is a full-time job for a network of deputies with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.

Courthouse security begins in the parking lot of the facility with nearly 40 cameras recording the movements in and around the courthouse and Sheriff’s Office buildings.

“I’m very comfortable with our security procedures here at the courthouse. The sheriff’s deputies are diligent and professional,” said Capt. Scott Phillips.

Phillips supervises the 16 full-time and seven part-time deputies who man the entry of the building and handle security in the courtrooms.

Officers are protected by bulletproof vests and carry weapons when on duty, and the level of security is dependent upon the severity of the crimes. Generally one deputy sits guard in District Court and two in Superior Court. The higher court has more of a chance of outbursts and issues, said Phillips.

“The potential is there on Superior Court cases,” he said.

On any given business day, approximately 1,400 to 2,300 people walk through the front entrance of Gaston County Courthouse.

Inmates, though brought before judges each day of the work week, don’t travel in the same circles as the general public in the court system. A series of internal halls and secured doors are used to bring those in custody from the jail to the courtroom.

“The only time the public will see an inmate is when the inmate is brought into the courtroom,” said Phillips.

And unless the incarcerated men and women are appearing before a jury, they are escorted by an officer and kept in handcuffs and leg shackles.

People entering the courthouse must pass through metal detectors and have all bags searched. Deputies wear rubber gloves to rummage through purses and bags for contraband.

The metal detectors have been in the courthouse since the building opened on Marietta Street. A new one was recently installed and points deputies to the area of the body where the object is located.

Deputies find drugs and weapons on people entering the courthouse daily, according to Phillips.

Anything confiscated by officers is destroyed and some discoveries lead to arrests.

Marijuana and prescription pills are the most common drugs that officers find on people entering the courthouse and the amounts are typically small, said Phillips.

“It’s never a trafficking amount that we’ve found up here so far,” he said.

But the taboo item found in the pockets of most people is the pocketknife.

“We don’t’ allow pocketknives whatsoever. For a male, generally that’s one of the first things that goes in their pocket in the morning,” said Phillips.

Most often the pocketknife carrier is given the option of taking the blade back to the car rather than surrendering it.

Gaston County Sheriff’s deputies may have a few more security tricks up their sleeves, but Phillips said he’s not ready to show his hand to just anyone.

“I don’t need all of our security procedures getting out to the public,” he said.

You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817.