GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) — Authorities say a man shot and killed a former Juneau County judge on Friday.
In Brown County, Judge Tammy Hock is concerned for her safety while at work, though she admits protection outside of the courthouse isn't always possible.
"I personally have been concerned about it before I even took the bench when I was a prosecutor in Brown County," she said.
On Tuesday, the presiding judge for the county spoke about a $4-million proposal to enhance security at the Brown County Courthouse.
"I think that most people who come into the courthouse who are not familiar with the Brown County Courthouse are surprised that there is not screening at the door when they come in," Hock said.
She says the plan would build an extension onto the current building, where people would enter and go through a screening process.
Others who have worked in the building are also concerned.
"Where there's high lethality at stake, it's surprising and I've been fearful at times too," District 19 board member Jessica Adams said.
But the Brown County Public Safety Committee is currently working with Covid relief funds, and members say they only have $2.4 million to work with.
"There was some preliminary plans, just some floor plans that had been laid out with some different options," Keith Deneys, Brown County Supervisor and Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said. "March of 2020, Covid hit and everything got shut down, so it all got put back on the back-burner."
While the committee says it will continue to discuss security updates, judges like Hock want temporary screening measures in the meantime.
"Would you make this your No. 1 if the money was there?" Deneys asked Hock. "Yes I think, probably," she responded.
