Purses, bags, other items banned at Lexington County Judicial Center

Security is tightening at the Lexington County Judicial Center as some items will be banned starting Monday.

Purses, backpacks, cellphones, baby carriers, strollers and bags of any type won’t be allowed to be taken in by visitors while wallets will be subject to search.

Those items will be barred from entry into a building where major criminal trials and related legal proceedings occur.

“We are not trying to inconvenience people,” Clerk of Court Beth Carrigg said. “We’re working to keep them safe.”

The change was a mutual decision by Carrigg and the Sheriff’s Department “after much consideration,” she said.

“We need to take more precautions with all that’s going on in today’s society,” she said.

The ban comes after deputies who oversee entry to the Judicial Center recently found objects not flagged by metal detectors and X-ray machines that could be used as knives hidden in bags and in one case inside a credit card, officials said.

“Our deputies intend to honor the clerk’s instruction to exclude such items from entering the judicial center’s public entrance,” said Capt. Adam Myrick, spokesman for Sheriff Jay Koon.

Signs are going up telling visitors the banned items should be left in vehicles.

“We are taking all necessary steps to secure this facility and those who have business within its walls,” a message on the signs says.

The restrictions don’t apply to deputies, courthouse staff, lawyers and judges.

Wallets aren’t mentioned on the signs but Carrigg said searches of them will be done.

It’s the latest step to increase security at the county’s legal headquarters after more cameras were added.

The restrictions on what can be brought in are more stringent than those at the courts in adjoining Richland County.

Bags brought in there go through X-ray equipment and can be searched by deputies as their owners walk through metal detectors, officials said.

“Right now, that’s adequate for us,” sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Curtis Wilson said.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Purses, bags, other items banned at Lexington County Judicial Center."