"Stay Connected in The Texas Hill Country" • Current News For Leakey & Surrounding Areas

2/8/10

Real County took the first steps last week for the installation of cameras in the courtroom, hallways and Sheriff’s office.

Since the initiation of the Courthouse Securities Fee over 15 years ago, Real County has made only one large purchase from the assessment, the metal detector you pass through to enter the courtroom during District Court, purchased some years ago.

The fee is collected by the District and County Clerk and Justice of the Peace offices.  It is attached to criminal court costs and civil filings, according to Real County Treasurer Kathy Brooks.

Brooks said Hill Country Securities recently began installation of the five camera security system.  The monitor is located in the dispatch office of the Sheriff’s Department. Dispatcher, Jan O’Neal said she is excited about the system and feels it is a tremendous asset to the county.

Sheriff James Brice said the system, though it is operational, has some additional work to be completed. At present the cameras are viewed on a separate monitor, but will be transferred to the dispatch computer soon and can be monitored with the touch of a button. Brice said he is very much in favor of the system and feels it will benefit his officers as well as the community.