When we think of landscaping around a courthouse, or any building for that matter, we usually consider only the aesthetic value the landscaping provides. After all, greenery can really enhance the look of a building, and who wants a bare building rising from an expanse of dirt or concrete? However,...

CPTED (pronounced “sep-ted”) stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. It was developed in the 1970s from an earlier 1960s' concept for urban planning and renewal known as "defensible space." Since then, it has become more widely adopted by planners, architects, and security...

I’ve been troubled by recent events outside of the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon, and across this country. Sadly, while most of the protests have been peaceful, some folks are taking advantage of the right to protest by initiating violence. As a result, lives are being lost and buildings...

by Keith Fentress (Fentress Inc.) and Mike Jones (President, Major Security Consulting and Design, LLC)

The courthouse is an iconic civic building representing the ideals of justice. Typically one of the more prominent government facilities in a community, the courthouse is often the location of...

Courthouses are where conflicts are resolved and justice is dispensed. Security in the courthouse is critical for all types of proceedings. It is easy to understand the need for security when there is a publicly charged murder trial, a gang proceeding, or a drug cartel on trial. However, any...