New courtroom for Valley courthouse

SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTHI) - Sullivan County leaders hope the changes will make it a safer place. They also hope remodeling makes it more efficient.

Two Sullivan County judges currently share a single courtroom, making it hard to set quick trial dates. Needed changes could help improve security as well.

An old storeroom on the first floor is slated to become the next Sullivan County courtroom. As soon as the extension office moves to the 4-H Fairgrounds, county leaders plan to spend $250,000 to make improvements.

"It's something we feel has been needed for years," said County Council President Duane Wampler. "The longer we wait, the more it's going to cost."

Sullivan County Superior Judge Hon. Bob Springer has a one year delay in setting trial dates because he has to share a courtroom. Having his own courtroom may cut as much as six months off that waiting time. Plus, it's a security issue.

"I have to leave the courtroom at the same time as everybody else is leaving the courtroom," said Springer. "Sometimes these people aren't really happy with me. And then i've got to come within arm's length of them."

That's not the only security issue Wampler wants to fix. There are no metal detectors or security guards currently at the courthouse. He wants to add between 8 to 12 cameras to record everything and everyone going in and out.

"We're going to get a security system as best as we can," said Wampler "It will be better than what we got, we have none now!"

County leaders hope to go over the final building plans later in February. Then they need a state building permit and Historical Society approval. They still hope to have it all done by the end of 2011.

County councilmen are waiting on cost estimates on installing cameras. They hope to have that by their March meeting, if not earlier.