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By
Lucy Orgolini [former]
- December 19, 2024
Court
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The District of Columbia Courts face a mounting security crisis as its two-decade-old surveillance and fire alarm systems edges closer to complete failure, according to court documents.
Tucked deep in the court’s 2023 budget justification is security information that can potentially impact all those entering the building, including visitors, attorneys, and defendants.
According to the budget, the courts’ current fire and security alarm systems were installed in 2004 and by 2025 would have “aged beyond its useful life.”
The court building’s security cameras and fire alarms are so old they could stop working any day and since the parts aren’t made anymore, they can’t be fixed when they fail.
The problem stems from the fact that the superannuated systems haven’t been replaced. The budget states that the court’s video management system is its initial line of defense, enabling the management of real-time threats, providing incident responses, and documenting criminal activities in the court building.
According to the budget justification, in the event of a system malfunction, “neither tech support nor replacement parts are available, rendering the system inoperable.” They have been salvaging analog parts for repairs, but as of 2022, all tech support for the system ended.
The courts must fund the replacement to avoid a system-wide failure.
The court plans to replace its outdated security cameras with a modern digital system that uses internet technology. This will allow security staff to monitor the entire courthouse with clearer video quality and better storage capabilities.
“In addition to security systems, the D.C. Court is mandated by both Federal and local regulations to provide fire protection systems that reduce the risk of loss of assets and enhance the safety of occupants and visitors. Many of the components of the Courts’ fire protection systems are at the end of useful life and many are failing. It is imperative that these systems be kept in working condition with quality parts and components.” the budget states.
The court budget has been requesting $3.73 million for these repairs and upgrades for multiple years. It was first mentioned in 2021 after a Facilities Condition Assessment that identified the potential problems.