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Judge worries about courthouse security after threat
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A father angry at the juvenile justice system has courthouse officials saying security improvements need to be made before tragedy happens.“It’s the girls over in the clerk’s office who I’m worried about because people sometimes come in there mad,” said General Sessions Judge Larry Ross, who was a target of the most recent alleged threat. The threat prompted officials to take immediate action.Specifically, Judge Ross, along with some Department of Children’s Services workers, were reportedly threatened by a father who was angered when his pre-teen daughter was sent to a detention facility. His daughter reportedly stole a van to escape custody, but was recaptured.While not personally making a threat, a third party last week relayed his alleged threat made against the judge and members of DCS. The man, who lives in another state, was reportedly in White County trying to locate one of the DCS workers.The alleged threat prompted the back courthouse doors to be locked, requiring everyone enter the courthouse through the front door.“We were able to enlarge our surveillance screen so we could better monitor that one door,” said Circuit Court Clerk Bernie Morris whose office is located downstairs at the courthouse.