No action on suburban courthouse security

Despite expressing support, Hennepin County commissioners Tuesday delayed acting on interim steps to bolster security at the county's three suburban courtrooms.

The commissioners voted instead to send to committee a recommendation by county administrators to put walk-through metal detectors at the Brooklyn Park and Minnetonka courtrooms and supply security guards at the Edina courtroom with handheld detectors.

The need for courtroom security became a pressing concern in December after a shooting at the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais critically wounded a prosecutor and witness. Three weeks later, it gained momentum in Hennepin County when District Judge Lloyd Zimmerman refused to hear any more cases at suburban courtrooms until visitors were screened for weapons.

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said he was disappointed that the County Board chose to take more time to study the issue. He said that most cases heard in the suburbs are domestic-related, which often lead to violent behavior.