Color coded vests coming to courthouse

Van Zandt County bailiffs have taken a step to prioritize citizen’s safety by asking for approval from commissioners to allow color coded vests to be worn by those who frequent the courthouse.

In the Jan. 12 commissioners meeting, Van Zandt County Bailiff Terry Jackson asked the court to consider colored vests to be worn by volunteers, maintenance workers and probationers to help increase courthouse security.

Bailiff Jackson said that the recent theft of two computers from the courthouse basement prompted preemptive action.

“Recently, we had a theft occur inside the courthouse in a hallway of the building. A gentleman walked off with two computers that were in the hallway. Luckily, we did have surveillance cameras going and we did apprehend the gentleman and place him into custody. I came in four minutes behind the guy that took the computers. I came up with the idea of being able to identify people that come to the courthouse such as probationers, volunteers and maintenance workers,” said Jackson.

Jackson said the purpose of the color coded vests is to “identify who is doing what to the courthouse.”

“We have volunteers that come up here during the holidays. They come and decorate and hang stuff up. Around that time period is when the gentleman took the computers. There are so many people walking in and out. We have trustees coming in and out, probationers, volunteers. Name tags wont don’t us much good because we don’t have the man power or personnel to do something like that. There are four ways to go in and out of the courthouse. So, if we can just identify some of the people by having them come in and sign in at my office, that would be beneficial. At least I will know who they are if they are required to sign in,” said Jackson.

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