Judge Calls For Increased Security at Justice Court

Riverhead Town is looking to increase protection at the justice court.

Riverhead Justice Allen Smith spoke to the Riverhead town board at Thursday's work session and said he'd like to see an increase in hours for court officers stationed at the justice court.

Smith said Southampton Town has permanent court officers -- and they are armed. "I think with the volume we have," permanent court officers should be considered, he said.

Town Supervisor Sean Walter agreed there was a need and that he wanted to see residents and town staffers in the court "protected."

Walter asked if Smith thought full time court officers stationed at the justice court from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. would be a viable plan; Smith agreed.

Councilman John Dunleavy said peace officers in the police department could be armed and he felt the the court officers protecting the court should be armed.

Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller said he was looking to see full-time officers at the justice court four days a week. 

Currently, Hegermiller said, there are four part-time officers covering the court Mondays through Wednesdays, and as needed on Thursdays, except for when drug court is in session; drug court on Thursday afternoons, he said, is always covered.

Do you think officers at the justice court should be armed? Tell us in the comments section.