You want to see my what?

When workers arrived today at their job at the Hamilton County Administration Building, they were greeted by unarmed Sheriff's Office employees checking ID badges.

The move was instituted by County Administrator Patrick Thompson who wanted a greater security presence in the building. Unlike other nearby county facilities -- the courthouse, Job & Family Srvices offices and the building housing prosecutors, public defenders and appeals court judges -- the Administration Building doesn't have metal detectors or other security measures upon entering.

Thompson said there was no specific incident that led him to ask for the change.

It resulted in some workers scrambling to get new or updated employee ID badges.

So far, the move has proved very unwelcomed, largely because it came as a surprise to those not connected with the county administration.

At least two elected officials with offices in the building -- Auditor Dusty Rhodes and Recorder Rebecca Groppe -- have complained to Thompson today. (Their e-mails are below).

"Nobody told us about it before they did it," Rhodes said today.

Rhodes wondered how effective the security can be if the unarmed non-uniformed Sheriff's employees are checking the employees but not non-employees.

"It's not the employees. It's the strangers who are the (security) issue," Rhodes said.

Below is the original e-mail sent this morning to other departments in the Administation Building from Karla Plank, Thompson's administrative aide -- as well as Rhodes' response. Rhodes has Susan Silver of his office reply. After that is Groppe's e-mail complaining to Thompson.

-----Original Message-----
From: Plank, Karla
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 10:18 AM
Subject: Security Procedure When entering the Administration building this morning, you may have been stopped by the front desk Security Officer to present your employee badge. This new procedure has been implemented in an effort to enhance overall building safety and security of both our employees and visitors. Please be sure to have your employee badge readily accessible when entering the building. We appreciate your assistance and cooperation. Patrick ThompsonCounty Administrator

RHODES' RESPONSE
From: Silver, Susan
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 11:00 AM
To: 'Thompson, Patrick
RE: Security Procedure

In reply to your e-mail, inasmuch as our office’s employees were first asked for identification badges this morning, it comes a little late. Can you be more specific as to the new procedure and how it protects employees and customers? What will happen to an employee who is not carrying a badge? Will there be a sign-in procedure for an individual in that position? And will all members of the public be asked for identification? Clearly, they will not have county identification badges. Will they be asked to sign in? At what time of day will this new security measure kick in? Our employees arriving before 8:00 a.m. today were not stopped but those arriving around 8 were. Are you aware that this office opens for public business at 7:30?

I have been in favor of improving building security for many years. I support the initiative but would have appreciated prior discussion and consultation as it affects our office and the public we serve. In any event, receiving e-mail after the fact is not the best approach.

(Susan Silver on behalf of)
Dusty Rhodes

GROPPE'S RESPONSE
From: Groppe, Rebecca
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 12:27 PM
To: Thompson, Patrick; Portune, Todd; Heimlich, Phil; Dewine, Pat; Rhodes, Dusty
Subject: RE: Security Procedure

Mr. Thompson: I have been trying to contact you by telephone this date, but no one is answering. For future reference, advance notice and input on decisions that will affect the operation of the HCRO will be appreciated. For the last ten years I have been regularly requesting security in this building. The security needs of each office are different and should be addressed accordingly. Had you contacted me ahead of time, you would have known that the HCRO has extended hours for customers. What plan or idea would you have for them? I am requesting, therefore, a round table discussion with all of the officials to discuss each office's needs. That way, we can protect the integrity of the official business of the offices, the employees and the taxpayers.

Rebecca Prem Groppe, County Recorder