Security to be beefed up at marshal’s office

Hotchkiss Marshal Dan Miller presented a proposal to beef up security for his department. The Hotchkiss Town Council, which met on Feb. 14, agreed for the need and approved up to $28,000 for the improvements.

The funds would come from the capital budget and reserves would not have to be touched.

In his written proposal, Marshal Miller noted "security and compliances to state and federal laws mandate the marshal's office upgrade the security of the office areas."

Miller believes the office has needed changes for several years. The remodeling would improve work areas, create a larger room, provide greater security for the building and the marshal's office, create needed storage and bring his office into compliance.

State and federal laws require the marshal's office to have secure computers. No one without a security clearance can be in the same room with the department's computers. There must be a locked door between the public and the office.

Only those with a security clearance and background check are allowed access to the computers.

Law enforcement must be able to interview people in private without someone walking into the office unannounced.

Currently, the marshal's office has its evidence lockers and other files in an outer unsecure area.

Miller's solutions are to add storage space by the addition of a second floor in the marshal's lobby area. It will be reached by a pull down staircase, allowing storage of records for the marshal, town clerk and public works.

A wall between the marshal's office and his lobby area will be moved creating a larger deputies area.

The floorplan will have a front desk with a greeting window, a lobby with the second floor storage area, marshal's office, deputies room, a storage room, computer room and a bathroom.

Desks for the deputies will be removed and replaced with countertops and cabinets as work areas.

The marshal's office area will be walled off for private interviews.

The public will first go to the greeting window before being allowed access into the other offices.

Carpet will be removed and replaced with commercial grade tile flooring.

The estimate of $28,000 covers electric, duct work and remodel of the offices. Scott's Electric, which is currently wiring the water plant, will do the electrical rewiring at the marshal's office.

The council voted unanimously for the remodel to proceed.

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