By Rupert Howell
A request Monday to Panola supervisors by Emergency Management Director Daniel Cole to upgrade and extend “panic button” services at both courthouses and include the Justice Court building in Sardis led Sheriff Dennis Darby to recommend courthouse employees go through “active shooter” training following Sunday morning’s massacre in Orlando where 50 were killed and 53 were injured.
“If you don’t have an active shooter plan, you don’t know what to do,” Darby explained at the meeting in the Batesville Courthouse.
The sheriiff said, “Sometimes you have to talk plain,” prior to asking the question, “Is there anybody in this courthouse with a gun that can use it? I mean we’re talking about killing somebody. I don’t care who does it.”
Darby’s context was if an active shooter came in the courthouse and started shooting people, what would employees do? He said that other than during court, his deputies are usually not in the building.
EMA Director Cole said he had several “active shooter” type videos after County Administrator Kelly McGee said a recent video she had seen answered a lot of questions and explained certain situations.
“We’ve got a template to follow, “Cole said and added, “But we need to get others involved.”
The current “panic button” system alarms dispatchers where the proposed upgrade would not only alert dispatchers, but all local law enforcement officials nearby, such as Batesville Police Department just across the railroad track, as well as sending text messages to employees or others in harm’s way.
Both courthouses are equipped with metal detectors for entry into courtrooms during all trials according to Chief Deputy Chris Franklin who also attended Monday’s supervisor meeting.