Court security task force recommendations seek funding for small rural courts

The Board for Judicial Administration (BJA) and Court Security Task Force recently released communications on court security funding recommendations. The task force focused on strategies for Washington Courts resources to meet minimum security standards and increased challenges to public and court employee safety.

One of the recommendations included an Administrative Office of the Courts proposed budget request for $2.5 million annually to establish the Security Matching Grant Program. The new program would fund up to 90 percent of the costs for security equipment and private security staff for small and rural courts in economically distressed areas. Local government matching contributions would be a variable percentage of the costs to secure local courthouses.

The BJA communications also include a draft letter for jurisdictions that want to advocate in support of the funding.