By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - If two or 200 people come to a Butler County Area III Court session, the metal detectors and X-ray machine don't do any good.

The security devices are locked up next to the courtroom. The court doesn't have staff to operate them.

The same is true for Butler County Area I Court in Oxford, said Marvin "Butch" Davis, court administrative bailiff.

"I'm the only security here," Davis said.

In his nine months on the job, Davis has never seen anyone use the equipment purchased with a grant approximately two years ago. So Davis asked Butler County commissioners Monday for financial help to hire two off-duty officers.

"We don't know how many guns have come in the courtroom, or how many knives," said bailiff Pete Jensen, in Judge Robert Hendrickson's courtroom in the West Chester Township Police Department building.

On Monday, Hendrickson was to hear 425 cases. Sometimes every seat is filled and plaintiffs are lined up "wall to wall" in the courtroom during morning arraignments for traffic, domestic violence and other criminal charges, the judge says. Afternoon sessions are less of a concern, because police officers are in court to testify, Davis says.

Does the judge feel secure having the police headquarters across the hall? "Somewhat - but it's after the fact," Hendrickson said.

The Area III docket averages more than 400 cases from West Chester and Monroe each Monday. Area I Court in Oxford averages about 500 cases each Thursday for crimes in Oxford, Reily, Morgan, Milford and Wayne townships and Oxford city.

Security at Area II Court isn't a problem. It's in the Butler County Courthouse, staffed by sheriff's deputies. The Hamilton court hears cases from Fairfield, Liberty and Hanover townships.

Davis would like to pay off-duty township or municipal police a $200 daily flat fee, costing the court about $45,000 a year. If the court used Butler County sheriff's deputies, whose contract requires a minimum 30 hours per week, it could up to $200,000 a year.

County Administrator Derek Conklin said he will meet Friday with Davis. One option to consider, said Commissioner Michael A. Fox, is raising court fees by $5 to pay for security.

Judges just hiked fees from $50 to $60 last year. "I'd have to speak to the other judges to see how they feel about it," Hendrickson said.

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E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com