County council applies for courthouse security system grant
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

The Cherokee County courthouse is about to get a new security system - if the price tag doesn't exceed $80,000.

County council on Monday agreed to apply for a grant that will pay for an electronic locking door and monitoring systems.

Council will scrap plans for the security system if the cost tops $80,000. The county's matching part of the grant would total $20,000.

An electronic key would be used to unlock each door. The system would record the time the electronic door was opened.

The security system also includes a monitoring system during work hours and an alarm system that will be activated after hours.

The request was made by longtime Cherokee County Family Court Judge Wesley Brown.

Several years ago, a fire was deliberately set at the courthouse, resulting in damage to several floors of the building.

Cherokee County Finance Committee Chairman Charles Mathis said a beefed-up security system could prevent a similar occurrence.