Shortage Of Bailiffs In Eau Claire County Leads To Courthouse Security Concerns

There are concerns about courtroom security in Eau Claire County as the number of bailiffs has been nearly cut in half in recent years.

Since 2007, the number of bailiffs in Eau Claire County’s courthouse has been gone from seven to four. With up to six courtrooms in session at any one time, that means some hearings don’t have any security personnel.

Eau Claire County Sheriff Ron Cramer said his budget has dwindled, forcing him to downsize.

“We’ve had to cut and cut and cut, and unfortunately it’s been in the bailiff position,” said Cramer. “We’re down to four deputy sheriffs and a sergeant on staff that are protecting the courts and the courthouse itself.”

The sergeant works in the jail and is only available part-time. Since the cuts, there haven’t been any attacks within Eau Claire County circuit courts, but Judge William Gabler says that doesn’t matter – there should be a bailiff present during all proceedings.

“The place where we really need to have bailiff coverage is in family law cases, cases involving restraining orders, and small claims cases,” said Gaber. “Believe it or not, nationally the highest rate of risk, if you will, in courtroom proceedings are in divorces, child support, restraining orders and in small claims cases.”

Gabler said if violence does break out in a courtroom, it’s not his safety he’s worried about. He sits behind a bullet proof bench and has an exit right behind him.

“The people that are really exposed are the parties, the litigants – in other words, those people who are coming to court – because they are at counsel tables. They are in close proximity to one another,” Gabler said.

Cramer said he will ask for another bailiff in this year’s budget proposal but he doesn’t think he’ll get one.