OAKLAND — Recent improvements in security at the Frederick A. Thayer III Courthouse have resulted in additional parking spaces becoming available.
The main entrance to the courthouse is now located on Alder Street. Additional parking spaces will be available at the Alder Street parking lot, according to a news release from County Administrator Monty Pagenhardt.
Public parking spaces have been designated with posted signage.
Parking is also available at the metered spaces on Alder Street along with additional parking at the alley side of the courthouse. More handicapped parking spaces have also been added there.
Garrett County Sheriff Rob Corley said the increased security at the courthouse, brought about by eliminating the public access on Fourth Street, was only made possible with the cooperation of the county commissioners. Visitors may still exit the building at the Fourth Street side.
“We’re doing well with the budget we have and I can’t express enough appreciation to our county commissioners. These improvements would not have happened without their involvement,” he said.
Corley said an estimated daily average of 28 to 35 people visited the courthouse previously in regard to criminal proceedings and were required to pass through a metal detector and portable scanners. The security device was purchased approximately eight years ago at a cost of $28,000.
Since public access to the courthouse is now made only through the Alder Street entrance, an estimated 200 visitors per day pass through the security metal detector. Anyone doing business of any kind at the courthouse must first pass through the security check.
“The majority of the public has welcomed the changes and increased security. Many of them expressed they are surprised it didn’t happen sooner,” said the sheriff.
“This is something that needed done for quite a while,” said Corley. “We’ve really enhanced the security both within and around the courthouse.”
The sheriff also said wooden doors at the Alder Street entrance will be changed to glass doors in the near future to improve visibility.
The increased security stemmed, in part, from the Jan. 23 escape of a Washington D.C. man from the Garrett County Jail. The escapee, Deandre Kelly, was arrested in May in Bedford, Va., by U.S. marshals.
Several other people charged in connection with the escape are facing federal prosecution after Garrett County State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch determined the cases were better suited for federal prosecution.
The sheriff concurred with the prosecutor and the cases were dismissed at the county level in August to defer to federal prosecution.
Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.
Local News
Courthouse changes add parking spaces
Sheriff: Most citizens have responded well to security improvements
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