SCANNER: A jail necessity

I was very happy to see The Press highlight the need for a body scanner in our county jail. The sheriff’s department has asked for a body scanner during the past few years of budget preparation. The commissioners, in my opinion, didn’t realize the seriousness of the threat. Undersheriff Dan Mattos and Captain John Holecek both talked with me about recent incidents to drugs being smuggled into the jail and I in turn brought the matter to the other two commissioners during a recent meeting.

I believe all elected officials should take full responsibility for their decisions. I made a mistake in not pressing for the purchase or lease of a body scanner during the last budget cycle.

Given the serious possibility to injury or death to jail staff, not to mention the threat to inmate safety, it becomes clear that the Board of Commissioners cannot wait another year to install a scanner. In a budget of more than $100 million, I believe we can and should find $150,000 or less to install a body scanner as soon as possible.

Contraband in jails, including drugs and weapons, drops to almost zero in those facilities that have installed a body scanner. Go to YouTube and search for “jail body scanner.” You’ll find all the firsthand testimony necessary to convince even the most unreasonable county commissioner.

BILL BROOKS

County Commissioner

District 1