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Portland, Ripley Courts See Need For Ballistic Vest

RIPLEY — Town Board members have approved the co-purchase of a ballistic vest to be used during judicial proceedings in the town.

Town Justice Vera Hustead wrote a letter requesting that the town share the purchase of a bulletproof vest with the town of Portland. Court Officer Tom Ellsworth accompanied Hustead to the meeting to talk about the need for a ballistic vest. Ellsworth who has been in law enforcement all his life, spoke to council members about how violence can erupt in a court situation.

Many of the criminal cases that come before the court are domestic violence cases, Ellsworth said. Often the victim in the case is present, as well as the family of the accused. He explained that the court is a “soft target” because anyone can be present. “We have a problem in this area with families just walking in,” he said. “My job is to protect the people in court.”

Ellsworth said he has taken several weapons from people when they came into court, including knives, chains, brass knuckles, and even nails. However, the most difficult item to take from people is their cell phone, he said. ‘I won’t allow cell phones in the court room,’ he said. ‘You would be surprised how angry people get when you ask them to give up their cell phones. This is how things can erupt in just a few minutes.’

Because he is responsible for protection in the courtroom, Ellsworth said he could easily be targeted by a violent person. ‘If I go down, there is no one to protect everyone else,” he said.

Ellsworth noted the old style bulletproof vests are excessively heavy because they have a metal plate in them. The more efficient vest, known as a ballistic vest, is used by the military.

Hustead also spoke about the many ways in which violence can start in the court room. “Very often the families are in court and often the victims are here, so things can get testy,” she said. “We’ve had some altercations in the hallway.”

Surprisingly, Hustead said, drugs can also be a problem in the courtroom. “Since April 3, we have had three overdoses,” she said. “This happens when family or friends bring drugs and hide them in the rest room or some other place so the incarcerated person can obtain them.” She then related an incident in which the drugs were in a baby diaper and the accused person asked to hold the baby.

“Here on the bench, we have attorneys in front of us, so we often can’t see what’s going on,” she said. “For this reason, the courts keep Narcan on hand at all times.”

Hustead also cautioned town employees to be alert on court days in case someone attempts to walk into the building with a weapon. “I’m concerned about the town employees. People come angry to the court and they walk right past the town office,” she said.

The ballistic vest cost a total of $1,620. This includes a special shirt to be worn under the vest in hot weather to help keep the wearer comfortable. The vest will be purchased from Uniform Outfitters in Erie.

The board subsequently approved sharing the cost of the vest with Portland.

In a related matter, the board approved an increase in the court’s petty cash from $140 to $240 at Hustead’s request. “We always need change and now that the Ripley branch has closed, we have to run to Westfield for it,” she said.

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