Chapter 14: Courthouse Security
Site Lighting. Sufficient lighting is critical to the safety of the public and employees
outside the courthouse. Illumination must be provided for areas between cars and
around bushes and shrubs. Higher levels of illumination are required at vehicle and
pedestrian entrances. All perimeter lighting must support the operation of CCTV
cameras.
Separation of Vehicle Circulation. Four vehicle circulation systems are required: 1)
judges; 2) designated court employees; 3) USMS prisoner transport; and 4) service. As
needed, judges and court employees may share an entrance if parking areas are
physically separated with automated controls. Vehicle access onto the site should be
controlled at a single point with a guard station, electronic access control, and hydraulic
vehicle barriers.
Closed Circuit Television. CCTV cameras, connected to the USMS Command and
Control Center, are installed to provide complete perimeter coverage. Cameras might
also be connected to a GSA regional communications office for after-hours
surveillance.
Parking
Restricted Judges' Parking. Restricted parking, with electronic access control, must
be provided for all judges. Judges' parking should be located in a totally enclosed area
under the building, or if this is not possible, in a fenced area with minimal public view
of the parking area and the judge's path to the building. A separate restricted entrance
to the building from the parking area must be provided. If additional parking is
available in a restricted garage or parking lot, parking can be made available to key
court personnel in accordance with Judicial Conference policy, provided such use does
not permit unauthorized access to restricted judicial space.
Employee and Visitor Parking. Court employee, juror, visitor, and non-court
employee parking areas, if provided, are located adjacent to or outside the courthouse.
These parking areas must be fenced and provided electronic access controls. Employee
parking is generally assigned according to priorities set forth in the Federal Property
Management Regulations (FPMR) (Chapter 101-20). Restricted parking is not
required for jurors, including sequestered and anonymous jurors transported off-site by
the USMS.
USMS Secure Parking. Separate secure parking must be provided for USMS
vehicles. This area may function as part of a vehicle sallyport for the loading and
unloading of prisoners and protected witnesses. The sallyport must have a roll-down
door. Access to the secure parking and vehicle sallyport are controlled at the USMS
Command and Control Center.
Closed Circuit Television. A CCTV system must be provided to monitor access to
restricted and secure parking areas, parking spaces, and associated building entrance(s).
Cameras are monitored in the USMS Command and Control Center.
12/19/97
14-5
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