Faribault County will be receiving grant funds in the amount of $3,159.41 through the Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative.

The grant award was announced on March 18 by Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea as part of a $500,000 grant funding program.

Counties receiving the grant in addition to Faribault County are: Anoka, Becker, Big Stone, Carlton, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Hubbard, Koochiching, McLeod, Meeker, Ramsey and Sibley.

The grants will help provide funding to counties for a variety of courthouse security improvements including:

• Providing security training to courthouse officials and staff.

• Installing bullet-resistant glazing on glass at public service counters.

• Replacing aging security equipment.

• Reconstructing courtroom spaces.

• Implementing door locks, cameras, key card readers and duress alarms.

• Installing or upgrading security screening stations at courthouse entrances.

The County Board had approved applying for the grant at their meeting held on Nov. 16, 2021.

“Receiving this grant will help us cover the cost of new portable metal detector units to replace the ones we have, which are at least 30 years old,” Faribault County Sheriff Mike Gormley explained at the November meeting. “We would also buy two handheld wands.”

Funds received from the grant cover 50 percent of the total cost of the equipment to be purchased so the county will be responsible for half of the total cost.

“The Safe and Secure Courthouse reflects Minnesota’s statewide approach to addressing the issue of courthouse security,” said Gildea. “This is another step forward for our justice system, and one that will serve to better protect the thousands of Minnesotans who enter their local courthouses every day. Minnesotans deserve to feel safe when coming to court, accessing government services, or fulfilling their duties as citizens and taxpayers.”