Joe Nelson, Staff Writer, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin -
The days of the San Bernardino County Grand Jury working in cramped quarters soon may come to an end.
In response to the 2011-2012 Grand Jury report released on June 30, the county said it will assess space needs and security at the Grand Jury suite at San Bernardino Superior Court in the next 12 months, then work with the Grand Jury to meet necessary security, operational and space needs.
The Grand Jury found its workspace is insufficient to accommodate its 19 members, assistant and legal advisor and should therefore be expanded. Furthermore, the Grand Jury determined the tight space cannot properly accommodate emergency personnel in the event of a crisis, and that the hallway was too narrow for a gurney to be maneuvered.
In addition, the door to the Grand Jury suite remains locked during business hours, forcing the Grand Jury assistant to have to walk to the door and open it every time someone rings the buzzer, even though children and disgruntled people often wind up at the door pressing the buzzer button.
A security camera outside the door, the Grand Jury determined, would allow the assistant to monitor who is outside without having to get up to answer the door if it is unnecessary.
Lastly, the Grand Jury recommended its work quarters be relocated to a county-owned facility and a court room be designated for Grand Jury hearings.
The cost of the county assessment and any resulting improvements has yet to be determined.
Edward "Ted" Burgnon, foreman of the 2011-2012 Grand Jury, declined to comment Thursday because he said he had not yet seen the county's response.
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