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Judiciary Looks To Security Following Attacks

A week after the September 11 terrorist bombings in New York City and Washington, Administrative Office Director Leonidas Ralph Mecham presented the security needs of the federal Judiciary to House members. Sally Rider, Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice, appeared for the Supreme Court. The special briefing was convened by Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies, with José E. Serrano (D-NY), the subcommittee’s ranking minority member.

Following the attacks, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), which provides protective services to judges and the courts, went on heightened alert. Court facilities throughout Manhattan were closed, but reopened for business by the end of the following week, although phone service and public access to the area continue to be disrupted. It was expected that the heightened security alert would continue throughout the Judiciary for the long-term, especially as the war on terrorism evolves into trials and other court proceedings. With this in mind, Mecham told the subcommittee, “We believe very strongly that the Department of Justice needs additional deputy U.S. Marshals for protection of the judicial process and to provide overall security coordination for the courts.” The Judiciary fears that U.S. Marshals may be diverted to bolster security at airports, to work on investigations, and to fly on civilian aircraft, which would stretch their already limited numbers to cover the needs of the federal courts.

Even before the terrorist attacks, the Judiciary had been in the process of completing a comprehensive independent study of security in the courts, and many improvements to security at facilities and in staffing already are underway. The Judiciary works closely with USMS and the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Federal Protective Service to ensure that an appropriate level of security is provided at all court facilities. Following the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, a vulnerability assessment of federal facilities conducted by DOJ and GSA provided a basis for many security upgrades.

Based on these studies, Mecham submitted to Congress and the Administration a request for $409 million for security enhancements. To date, the Judiciary has received $20 million in supplemental funding for court security officers, $2.5 million to cover increased costs in fiscal year 2001 and $17.5 million for the first six months of FY 2002. Other requested enhancements are still being considered.

Each judicial district should have its own security committee that is responsible for developing district-wide plans and procedures in conjunction with the USMS. In addition, each court facility should have a current Occupant Emergency Plan that outlines procedures to be followed in the event of a natural disaster or security problem.