Enhanced Security Measures Implemented at Provincial Court

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday, December 20), visitors to Provincial Court at Atlantic Place will go through a screening process designed to enhance safety measures at the court. The Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, with Chief Judge Mark Pike of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador today unveiled and demonstrated the security procedures.

“We have implemented a security process that is very similar to what is used for airport check-ins,” said Minister Collins. “The safety of visitors, court staff and people involved in court hearings is our paramount concern. We must have proper procedures in place to ensure greater safety measures while court proceedings are ongoing.”

Visitors will be required to walk through a metal detector or be searched with a hand-held wand. Baggage items will be screened through baggage screeners. Any item that can cause injury to a person, such as pocket knives, multi-tools, box cutters, some tools, pepper spray, illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia and alcohol, will be confiscated and not returned. As well, food and drink will not be allowed in the court.

“These screening processes will have a positive effect on the security of all users of the Provincial Court and I wish to thank the Provincial Government for allocating the funds necessary for these significant and important improvements,” said Chief Judge Pike. “Provincial Court must be a place where staff, visitors and people involved in court processes can feel safe. I am extremely pleased that starting tomorrow these enhancements will be in place for the benefit of everyone.”

The Provincial Government has invested approximately $300,000 to put these security measures in place. This included renovations at Provincial Court, the installation of two perimeter screening stations, development of new policies around screening, and the development of regulatory authority to conduct screening and physical searches of the public entering the courts.

Visitors are asked to check pockets, purses, briefcases and other hand-carried bags before going through screening and remove ahead of time any items which could be confiscated. Visitors are also advised to allow additional time to go through security.

All judiciary, staff and approved court officials will be issued an electronic pass card. These passes will be individually assigned for the exclusive use of those individuals and proper ID must be presented if required. If unable to produce sufficient ID, then the user will be subject to screening.

“I would also like to thank the Office of the High Sheriff and Sheriff’s Officers for their role in implementing these security measures,” said Minister Collins. “The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for providing court security to the Provincial Courts and their cooperation and commitment towards achieving this goal has been a tremendous help. With the dedication of all parties involved we have put in place a system that will allow all users of the court to feel safe and secure.”

In addition to this investment to improve screening at the Provincial Court at Atlantic Place, the Provincial Government has allocated approximately $7 million since 2009 for the revitalization of the Newfoundland and Labrador corrections system.

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Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca 

2011 12 19             11:15 a.m.