WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) has cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would improve security at smaller courthouses in Maine and across the nation. The Local Courthouse Safety Act, introduced by Senators Franken, Klobuchar, and Boozman, would address security concerns, like a lack of training and proper screening equipment, at local courthouses by giving them access to vital resources. Specifically, the legislation would provide local courts with access to security training, give states the authority to use existing grant money to improve courthouse security, and cut through bureaucratic red tape to give local courts access to existing federal security equipment, like metal detectors, that are otherwise not being utilized.

“Maine has over thirty courthouses located all over the state,” said Senator King. “The dedicated men and women who work to protect them every day deserve access to the appropriate resources and equipment to keep them safe, which is exactly what this vital piece of legislation does at no additional cost to the taxpayers.”

Currently in Maine, the office of Judicial Marshals staff provides security in twelve of Maine's sixteen counties. The other four, Kennebec, Lincoln, Penobscot and Somerset have security provided through a contractual agreement with the respective sheriff.

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