District Court Adds Security

SPRINGDALE — The actions of a man who appeared in Springdale District Court on June 21 reinforced the value of recent security additions.

The man, who was arrested in connection with several misdemeanors, seemed ready to take on the court when Judge Jeff Harper asked him how he pleaded to a resisting arrest charge.

“He started cussing and took a step toward the judge,” said Jerry Tedford, court probation officer. “We had to stop him.”

Tedford grabbed one arm, while Steve Helms, an investigator for the city attorney, took the other, said Harper. Brian Bersi, court bailiff, put the man in an armlock and took him back to a cell, with help from Ron Findley, a jailer.

“It was a miracle that they got him out of there in 30 seconds,” Harper said. “The courtroom was full. He could have hurt a lot of people.”

The addition of Bersi as a uniformed, armed bailiff made a big difference, said Tedford, who previously served as bailiff. Tedford is a former police officer, as is Helms, who retired as Rogers police chief.

Bersi was also helpful in another incident about three years ago, Tedford said.

A man who arrived late to court became testy during his arraignment, Tedford said. Stan Ludwig, then the judge, told the man he would have to be taken into custody, then make bail to be released, Tedford said.

Bersi was in the courtroom to help Tedford, who had had shoulder surgery. When the pair searched the man, they quickly found three lock-blade knives. Then Bersi found a gun, tucked in the man’s waistband.

“It was a .45 caliber pistol with a round in the chamber,” Tedford said. “He could have mowed down people in the courtroom like a shooting gallery.”

Harper said he decided more protection was needed. He had bullet-resistant glass installed in the clerks’ windows, where they take payments. Bullet-resistant materials were also installed below the windows, Harper said.

“I hope people don’t think I’m doing this out of fear,” Harper said. “I thought it was needed to protect my staff.”

Some people coming to the windows are a little strange, said Sherri Curry, who has worked in the court office for more than 20 years.

“I’ve been frightened a couple of times,” Curry said. “One man started beating his head on the edge of the counter. Blood was flying everywhere.”

Knowing the bullet-resistant material is in place makes her feel more secure, Curry said.

Harper is right to be worried about security, said Judge Paul Bridges of Rogers District Court. The Rogers court added bullet-resistant material several years ago, he said.

“We have bulletproof glass in the windows and Kevlar in the wall below,” Bridges said. “We also have installed bulletproofing in the courtroom.”

Bentonville District Court also has bullet-resistant material installed, said Jennifer Lopez-Jones, chief court clerk. She did not want to disclose the location of the material.

The Bentonville court uses a metal detector on those who enter the courtroom, Lopez-Jones said.

Officials with the Fayetteville District Court did not respond to questions about security in that courtroom.

The purchase and installation of the bullet-resistant materials in Springdale, which was approved by the City Council, cost about $20,000, Harper said. The money came from the court’s technology fund, which can only be spent on a limited list of items.

“I didn’t want to wait until someone was hurt before I made these changes,” Harper said.

In 2011, a man walked into the Crawford County courthouse in Van Buren and shot a judge’s secretary and a police officer. The shooter, James Ray Palmer, 48, died after exchanging shots with police officers. Palmer had targeted a judge who presided over his divorce hearing, according to American Police Beat website.