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Weapons screening begins at Hennepin County Government Center
by Art Hughes, Minnesota Public Radio
March 14, 2005

People entering the Hennepin County Government Center were subject to metal detectors and security searches for the first time Monday. (MPR Photo/Art Hughes)

Security officers at the Hennepin County Government Center collected a few pocket knives and scissors on the first day of airport-style weapons screening at the building. The X-ray machines and metal detectors come a year and a half after a shooting that killed a woman and wounded another man outside a courtroom in the 24-story building.

Minneapolis, Minn. — County officials debated for years whether such a system is worth the cost. But on its first day of operation, most employees and others entering the building seemed to take the new security measures in stride.

The new screening system saw a significant test as people heading to morning court appointments lined up to go through the metal detectors. The line grew to as many as 50 people. The building's security manager, Roberta Haight, says the process worked as expected.

"We had some busy times between 8:30 and 10 today. The lines were about eight minutes. I'm pleased," Haight says.

The building houses district court, various social service offices, government records and the offices of the county board.

This is the first time visitors have had to submit to weapons searches. County commissioners approved the detectors after Susan Berkovitz opened fire outside a courtroom on the building's 17th floor in 2003, killing her cousin and wounding her cousin's lawyer. The three were scheduled for a hearing related to a property dispute.

More than a year and a half later, County Commissioner Mark Stenglein watched as security personnel coaxed those in the growing line to stand out of the way of other pedestrians walking to the skyway.

"Any time you're going to take a building that's this wide open and accessible to the public -- I mean this place was built to allow as many public entry points as possible. And now you're going to create a funnel to siphon them through a portal, if you will, it's going to create some confusion," Stenglein says.

Stenglein originally opposed installing the screening system. He felt it would be obtrusive in the open public area of the 30-year-old building's main floor. He says he changed his mind after realizing many people, such as jurors, are forced into an potentially dangerous environment.

"It's the reality. In light of what happened in Atlanta and what happened in this building two years ago, close to -- it's a necessity, unfortunately," says Stenglein.

Last week, a rape suspect in Atlanta grabbed a deputy's gun as he was being escorted to a courtroom. He is accused of killing a judge, a deputy and a court reporter.

The Hennepin County system cost $1.8 million for the equipment, and requires another $1.3 million a year to operate.

The county recently issued access cards to employees who work in the building, so they can bypass the metal detectors.

That doesn't help county probation officer Hana O'Neill, who works in another building, but must frequently come to court proceedings. She expects the screening will slow her down on some days.

"Yeah, because a lot of times we have court at 8:30 or 9 o'clock. We're going to have to spend an extra 15 minutes planning ahead to get over here and do court," says O'Neill.

County officials say they hope to issue access cards to other employees outside the building in the coming months.

John Skochinski had a morning court hearing. He wasn't bothered by the few minutes he spent in line.

"You have to realize something needs to be done to provide safety for people that are here. I would much rather do that and spend a little more time, than not have it here," says Skochinski.

Anyone caught carrying a non-licensed gun or a knife over the legal length faces possible charges. Someone carrying a weapon legally has the option to have the county dispose of it, or they can leave the building. The county won't store any weapons for visitors.

As he waited in line, Thomas Chriss of Minneapolis thought the new screening was appropriate even if it's a bother to go through.

"It's going to be a hassle making it to court on time, but anything else it won't be any big deal," says Chriss. "I think people know, now that they have these, that there ain't no reason to bring anything in here. It's going to protect a lot of people, including me."

The current setup is only temporary. After three months, officials will reconfigure the screening area, and then compare the two layouts to see which one is most efficient.