Paul M. Burch, Circuit Judge Courthouse Violence Paul M. Burch, Circuit Judge

The Hillsville Massacre

Recent Courthouse Violence Sept. 13, 2011 – Crawford County, Arkansas Dec. 15, 2011 – Grand Marais County, Minnesota Mar. 7, 2012 – Tulsa, Oklahoma Mar. 9, 2012 – Grays Harbor County, Washington Feb. 11, 2013 – Newcastle County, Delaware Feb. 13, 2013 – Chesterfield, South Carolina

What are the important “lessons learned” from these incidents? Everything during a violent courthouse incident happens unbelievably fast. You don’t have time to think. You have just seconds to make vital decisions.

What are the important “lessons learned” from these incidents? It may not be possible to prevent a violent incident, but there may be “indicators” to look for in advance of the incident. Be prepared. Be alert. Don’t be complacent. Listen to your instincts. Act on your instincts. There was no obvious red flag. Communication is key.

What are the important “lessons learned” from these incidents? There are obvious needs for certain security measures, and courts need to be proactive in making sure those measure are in place. We’re in small rural county, nothing happens for years and people become complacent. If your courthouse has been free of violence for the past 50 years, that is no assurance that it will not become the scene of violence tomorrow.

What are the important “lessons learned” from these incidents? Impact on court staff and their families. Social media is rampant, as soon as it happens the phones will go crazy. Take that one moment when you have the time to communicate with your loved ones. Community impact of the incident will last a long time.

What are the most important things to keep in mind to possibly prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and manage the impact of an act of serious violence in a courthouse? Training, practice, and communication. Have a plan. Practice the plan. Know the plan. Keep the plan up to date. Train, train, train. Practice, practice, practice.

What are the most important things to keep in mind to possibly prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and manage the impact of an act of serious violence in a courthouse? Maintain a heighted awareness, look for indicators, and trust your instincts. Don’t be complacent, anyone could be a threat. Be prepared. Take every day and situation seriously. It’s everyone’s responsibility, not just law enforcement’s. It’s not possible to be too paranoid.

What are the most important things to keep in mind to possibly prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and manage the impact of an act of serious violence in a courthouse? Rigorously pursue and obtain the implementation of certain essential security measures. Weapons screening at the front entrance. Presence of law enforcement officers inside and outside the courthouse. Security committees. Constant communication. Expert assessments. Aggressive security policies. Funding.

What are the most important things to keep in mind to possibly prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and manage the impact of an act of serious violence in a courthouse? Pay attention to concerns of staff and their families. Courts need to be able to deal with the media and give them information otherwise the media will put out information on their own.