Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
which April Meeting? the defuniak one or the south Walton meeting?
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County Government concerned about their own safety?
- Thread starter Here4Good
- Start date
Here4Good
Beach Fanatic
The article didn't say.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
My parents were both elected County Officers and both have been threatened numerous times, but if any threats would have been carried out, it would not have been at the Court House. It would have done elsewhere, where it would have been easier to avoid arrest and conviction.
Seriously, stopping weapons at the door to the Court House doesn't stop someone who wants to act out a threat. Each of the Commissioners has an office, without metal detectors, and each has a home without metal detectors, each is listed in the phone book and addresses are public record when they run, each gets into a car and drives away from the "secure" Court House after meetings, and each is willing to meet with their constituents. So, if there is a threat to any Commissioner, having a secure meeting room does little in the way of real protection.
Let me also say that threats should be taken seriously and there are plenty of fruit loops wanting to come after people in these thankless, yet powerful positions. Growing up as a child in a family of politicians who were threatened, I would want no part of it. Unfortunately, threats come with many jobs. The only way to avoid the threats is to avoid the job. Security is just a bluff, though might prevent some real stupid people from acting out their threats.
Seriously, stopping weapons at the door to the Court House doesn't stop someone who wants to act out a threat. Each of the Commissioners has an office, without metal detectors, and each has a home without metal detectors, each is listed in the phone book and addresses are public record when they run, each gets into a car and drives away from the "secure" Court House after meetings, and each is willing to meet with their constituents. So, if there is a threat to any Commissioner, having a secure meeting room does little in the way of real protection.
Let me also say that threats should be taken seriously and there are plenty of fruit loops wanting to come after people in these thankless, yet powerful positions. Growing up as a child in a family of politicians who were threatened, I would want no part of it. Unfortunately, threats come with many jobs. The only way to avoid the threats is to avoid the job. Security is just a bluff, though might prevent some real stupid people from acting out their threats.
Bob Wells
Beach Fanatic
Six Dead In Missouri City Council Shooting - CBS News
SJ
As you have so aptly put it, you may not stop some intent upon harm, but providing security to at least be a deterent is not bad. Read the link above, hope it works, about someone who was intent upon mayhem, and there were police among those killed.
SJ
As you have so aptly put it, you may not stop some intent upon harm, but providing security to at least be a deterent is not bad. Read the link above, hope it works, about someone who was intent upon mayhem, and there were police among those killed.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
Security is provided at the BCC meetings, in the form of a Deputy. Having a metal detector wouldn't stop a psycho who was not scared of shooting the deputies at the metal detector station. Having deputies present obviously is not secure either. It is virtually impossible to have complete security, as there are failures in every system. If having a metal detector makes elected officials feel secure at public meetings, so be it, but it prevents only the truly stupid from acting out their threats.
There seem to be freaks who do crazy things, regardless of the business -- post office, financial centers, court houses, etc. We cannot protect ourselves from all freaks, and we need to realize that we shouldn't work so damn hard at limiting freedom in exchange for safety. Security is a false state of mind. Everyday, people drive on highways, eat food at restaurants, smoke, drink, take prescription meds, etc. We take our chances, but enjoy our right to eat a big, fat ribeye if we want. If Commissioners want to be safe, ask them not to drive on a highway to their meetings, because the chances of them dying in a car crash are likely much higher than getting shot at a County Commissioner meeting. Let's keep it in perspective.
There seem to be freaks who do crazy things, regardless of the business -- post office, financial centers, court houses, etc. We cannot protect ourselves from all freaks, and we need to realize that we shouldn't work so damn hard at limiting freedom in exchange for safety. Security is a false state of mind. Everyday, people drive on highways, eat food at restaurants, smoke, drink, take prescription meds, etc. We take our chances, but enjoy our right to eat a big, fat ribeye if we want. If Commissioners want to be safe, ask them not to drive on a highway to their meetings, because the chances of them dying in a car crash are likely much higher than getting shot at a County Commissioner meeting. Let's keep it in perspective.
wrobert
Beach Fanatic
It was in the paper and on the news. I think it started as a threat that morning at code enforcement, then sort of grew. May have been phoned in. I never understood how it got to be a threat against the BCC. But then how they find out things is not always put out for public consumption.
Alicia Leonard
SoWal Insider
It was a call placed to CE and a mention about the courthouse was made. News of the call reached the courthouse that afternoon, right before a BCC meeting and the WCSO went out to check on them. It turned out to be nothing according to all the LEO's I spoke with when I did a write-up on it.
scooterbug44
SoWal Expert
Isn't that a felony? Like a fake bomb threat? 
Alicia Leonard
SoWal Insider
Isn't that a felony? Like a fake bomb threat?
My understanding, from the limited amount of information I could get from all three offices involved(WCSO, DFSPD,OCSO) was that it was a contractor upset over losing a bid and the threat supposedly grew bigger as the story of the phone call made it's way around. The WCSO and the OCSO made a visit together to the persons house(due to it being on the county line) and decided they were not a threat. No official report was filed on the incident.
scooterbug44
SoWal Expert
I thought anything like that meant automatic charges - whether you intended harm or not?
Glad it was just ranting/misspeak, not an actual threat to safety.