ST. PAUL — Cottonwood County is among 13 Minnesota counties to be awarded a grant through the Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative to implement safety and security improvements.
The counties will share in $500,000 in grants, ranging from $1,800 to nearly $155,000. Of the 13 awarded grants, three were for less than $5,000, and six were for more than $25,000. As required by law, each county will provide a dollar-for-dollar match for its grant award, in either cash or in-kind services.
Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative grants will help fund 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; and installing or upgrading security screening stations at courthouse entrances.
The Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative was established by Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea and funded by a $1 million appropriation from the Minnesota Legislature in 2016.
