CRIME TRACKER: Fewer weapons confiscated at Benton Co. Justice Center
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BENTON COUNTY, Wash. -- In the aftermath of a recent bomb scare, KEPR is digging deeper into the number of weapons incidents at the Benton County Justice Center.
May 14th was a stressful day at the Benton County Justice Center. On that day, a suspicious device was found just a few steps away from the justice center's entrance; rattling people's nerves and putting the court on hold for hours . While everything ended up being okay, folks like Jolene Kuck still can never be too sure that they're safe.
"It's something I take for granted," she tells KEPR.
In the aftermath of last month's bomb scare, KEPR Action News decided to take a closer look at security at the justice center.
Hundreds of people pass through security at the justice center every day. Action News learned it's made the courts safer. The proof is in the numbers. Since 2007, the number of serious weapons confiscated by security has dropped as much as 60%. That's hundreds of fewer guns, knives, and box cutters putting people at risk.
Enforcement is key. With security front and center, an increasing number of people know to leave their weapons at home.
Knives are the most common weapons passing through security. Even with the success, two to three are still confiscated every week.
Court officials tell us only a handful of cases involve guns.
Weapons like pocket knives are held and given back to people when the leave the justice center.
May 14th was a stressful day at the Benton County Justice Center. On that day, a suspicious device was found just a few steps away from the justice center's entrance; rattling people's nerves and putting the court on hold for hours . While everything ended up being okay, folks like Jolene Kuck still can never be too sure that they're safe.
"It's something I take for granted," she tells KEPR.
In the aftermath of last month's bomb scare, KEPR Action News decided to take a closer look at security at the justice center.
Hundreds of people pass through security at the justice center every day. Action News learned it's made the courts safer. The proof is in the numbers. Since 2007, the number of serious weapons confiscated by security has dropped as much as 60%. That's hundreds of fewer guns, knives, and box cutters putting people at risk.
Enforcement is key. With security front and center, an increasing number of people know to leave their weapons at home.
Knives are the most common weapons passing through security. Even with the success, two to three are still confiscated every week.
Court officials tell us only a handful of cases involve guns.
Weapons like pocket knives are held and given back to people when the leave the justice center.
