Firearms Prohibited In District Courtroom
Roosevelt County Commissioners approved a request to prohibit guns on the third floor of the courthouse, which includes the district courtroom, during a meeting on Tuesday, July 29.
District Judge Benjamin Fosland explained that since being elected he has been working with a court security coordinator out of Helena. That individual has been conducting surveys and making recommendations regarding courthouses in the state.
Fosland said that judges can put a standing order in place to prohibit guns in a courtroom, but he wanted to work with the county commissioners.
County commissioner Gordon Oelkers said state legislators changed the law that used to prohibit firearms in courthouses, bars and banks.
The judge and commissioners agreed there isn’t a threat of violence at only criminal hearings but also at divorce and child custody hearings as well.
Commissioner Robert Toavs pointed out that residents can also get angry at other county offices, and he proposed prohibiting firearms at all county buildings. “Let’s not say this building can and this building can’t,” Toavs said.
Oelkers said he agrees, but the logistics would be too difficult to man metal detectors at each of the buildings.
Commissioners agreed to have a post on the courthouse’s doors regarding new firearms and have added security in the third floor during court days.
A motion was approved to support the judge’s standing order to prohibit firearms on the courthouse’s third floor.
Commissioners also approved a resolution to establish a PACE (Property-Assisted Capital Enhancement) program in Roosevelt County.
The Montana Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements program is a financing tool that can help Montana businesses save money through energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy investments, or water conservation. C-PACE financing is a suitable option for farms, commercial office buildings, nonprofit organizations and multi-tenant buildings. Common investments include solar panels, HVAC systems, lighting, motors and more.
Regional community and economic development organizations, such as the Great Northern Development Corp., see the potential of C-PACE to facilitate revitalization and business development efforts and are working to bring the program to businesses in northeast Montana. For property owners to access the program, counties must pass a resolution to create a C-PACE district. Once a district is formed, property owners work with a private lender of their choice to obtain financing for energy- saving, renewable energy, or resiliency projects.
During commissioners’ report, Oelkers mentioned a health task force meeting conducted through Zoom. He said health officials are preparing in case additional measles outbreaks spread. He said there are more than 30 measles cases in Montana and 10 in Williams County, N.D.
Toavs said he has been working with the road department regarding a couple of incidents. Someone stole a payloader from a gravel pit and it was later found at another gravel pit. A county vehicle was hit in foggy conditions in a hit-and-run crash. The county employee wasn’t injured.
