Hamilton County Mayor Jim CoppingerFrom arming more officers to remodeling part of a courtroom, Hamilton County leaders are eyeing ways to tighten security at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Courts Building.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said Thursday the changes were requested by General Sessions Court judges wanting to tighten security.
No specific incident or threat triggered the shift, he said.
“In Sessions Court there are more people and emotions are running higher because it’s often the first appearance for the defendants and victims going through the court process,” Coppinger said. “We want to make sure they feel secure to do their jobs.”
Starting Monday, armed Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies who once stood at the entrance to the courts building will be moved inside the General Sessions courtrooms.