NORMAN — Those who regularly visit the Cleveland County Courthouse will soon notice new faces at the east and west doors.
Cleveland County Undersheriff Rhett Burnett said an orientation session was held Monday for guards with Sooner Security of Norman. The firm has been hired to run X-ray machines and Magnetometers at both courthouse entrances.
The target date to have guards in place is Aug. 2, Burnett said.
“We are hoping the company that services the machines will be here and have them calibrated by Aug. 2,” he said.
Burnett said the equipment needs to be calibrated to make sure each piece works properly.
“Once these are calibrated, the east door will be public accessed,” he said.
Currently, the building’s west side is the only public entrance.
Burnett said 10 deputies are assigned to courthouse security. Those deputies keep a presence in the halls and various courtrooms.
Four additional deputies secure east and west side entrances, Burnett said.
He said the security firm will provide five unarmed guards. Two guards will be assigned to east and west side entrances. Another guard will rotate between both doors.
Also, one deputy will monitor courthouse entrances, Burnett said. The four who previously worked at the courthouse will patrol the county.
Burnett said three companies submitted bids to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department. Out of those companies, Sooner Security of Norman gave the lowest bid.
“You want the best quality you can find,” Burnett said.
Pepe Castuera, president and owner of Sooner Security of Norman, said his firm will be paid $13,000 a month, according to the contract.
“We are very excited about it,” he said.
Once his guards are in place, Castuera said that means deputies who were assigned to courthouse security will be back in the field.
“The advancement is there will be five officers freed on the field and perform duties in the county,” he said.
He said the work quality will not diminish when his firm begins work next month.
“The quality of work will be the same and no changes, other than personnel and the company,” Castuera said.
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com
