“When all the other state requirements came down, the sheriff and county officials decided that this was a good time to implement this measure,” Deason said.

Since March 2005, court services has increased from three uniformed personnel to 10, added a screening station at the front entrance, modified the entrances and exits to the building, added a metal detector and X-ray machine.

Although the security increases came down from the General Assembly in Atlanta as an unfunded mandate, Deason said the new security measures allow his division to react to any situation as effectively as possible.

“Anything can happen,” Deason said. “But regardless of what may come, we know that we will be able to address it.”