Linn supervisors see estimates for private guards at courthouse, juvenile courts

Linn County supervisors now have some ballpark figures if they decided to pursue a private security contractor for the county courthouse and new juvenile justice center.

Five area companies provided quotes between $170,000 and $290,000 a year for five guards at the two buildings, with armed guards bringing the higher rates. Supervisors reviewed the information this morning and heard from the head of a local security firm but took no formal action.

Sheriff's deputies currently staff the entrance to the May's Island courthouse. Sheriff's Major Dough Riniker said the courthouse detail will cost about $366,000 over the next fiscal year, and it will cost about $241,000 to hire three new deputies to staff the juvenile center on Second Street SW when it opens next fall.

But that's not an “apples to apples comparison,” Sheriff Bill Gardner told the supervisors.

Gardner said the security posts draw deputies with high seniority who'd move to other duty if private guards were hired. Deputies with less service would be let go, saving the county about $314,000 on the courthouse job.

Riniker estimates the county would spend about $241,000 for deputies to staff the juvenile center.

“It might be more cost-effective, but maybe (private guards) can't do as much,” said Riniker.

Eric Holub, president and owner of Premier Security, said his company's guards can detain troublemakers although they can't arrest them.

“You're a private citizen, but private citizens do have rights to protect property” and lives, said Holub, the only private security representative to address the supervisors.

“If a person comes in and has a warrant for their arrest, we can't do anything,” Holub said. But “we can enforce any rule or policy the courthouse has.”

Holub said his 40 employees undergo three background checks, and those who carry guns receive 40 hours of training on the use of deadly force. He said Premier, which patrolled downtown neighborhoods after the June 2008 flood under contract to the county and private property owners, has supplied about 20 Cedar Rapids police recruits in recent years.

Holub said he'll bid on the county security contracts if supervisors decide to seek them.

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