By Kelly Morgan,Staff Writer

SOUTH PARIS – Probate Judge Dana Hanley and Register of Probate Tom Winsor are hoping the Oxford County commissioners will consider installing some security measures as they renovate the probate court this year.

Both men appeared before the commissioners Tuesday to comment on the absence of security in the court at this time.

“For example,” Winsor said, “now there’s no panic button here. If somebody starts screaming and yelling at you, there’s no way to call over to the (Oxford County) Sheriff’s Office and have them show up.”

Hanley and Winsor said the probate court often handles emotionally volatile issues, such as child custody.

When Hanley expects emotions to run high, he said, he contacts the Sheriff’s Office. However, he said, “I don’t want the only court security system to be my intuition.”

He and Winsor asked the commissioners to consider metal detectors, alarm buttons or other technological methods to improve the safety of the probate court.

The commissioners agreed.

The old county jail is being renovated to house the commissioners’ chambers and office space. Once that work is done, Administrative Assistant Carole Mahoney said, the commissioners’ old chambers will be renovated for the probate court.

The commissioners are expected to move into their new space by July 1, she said.

Commissioner Jim Carey said Hanley has been “lucky” not to have had trouble in his courtroom so far.

“You can no longer take a cigarette lighter on a plane,” added Chairman Steve Merrill, “but you can walk right in here with a concealed weapons permit and a concealed weapon,” referring to the county courthouse on Western Avenue.