COURTHOUSE TO GET FUNDS FOR SECURITY; X-RAY GEAR, METAL DETECTORS PLANNED FOR HALL OF JUSTICE.

Byline: David Greenberg Daily News Staff Writer

After five years of planning, the Hall of Justice will receive $1.2 million in airport-style security measures, including metal detectors and X-ray machines at entrances.

With $839,000 already allocated by the state, the Board of Supervisors is expected today to appropriate $400,000 in courthouse construction money to have the security equipment in place by July.

``It's unfortunate that courthouses have become a focal point for this violent behavior, but that's the world we live in today,'' said Sheila Gonzalez, executive officer of Superior Court. ``We have to protect the general public, the jurors and the individuals who work in the courthouse.''

The equipment also will protect the adjacent offices of the district attorney and public defender.

The courthouse already has a metal detector and security officers to search bags on the fourth floor in the family law area, where officials say acts of violence are most likely to occur.

Gonzalez said money to install similar security measures in the East County courthouse in Simi Valley is included in the budget for the next fiscal year.

Courthouse officials began calling for security upgrades in 1993, after a gunman shot three employees at the Employment Development Department in Oxnard.

Other potentially harmful acts followed.

Sherman Oaks resident Frank Cockrell, 50, is about to go on trial in Los Angeles County on charges that he plotted to firebomb the courthouse, with the intent of killing as many people as possible, including District Attorney Michael D. Bradbury.

Last year, sheriff's deputies found a handgun in a courthouse trash can.

And security staffers say they periodically witness people turning around and walking away from the family law area as soon as they spot the metal detector.

``They are concerned we are going to become aware of something illegal they are in possession of - whether it's weapons, drugs or any other item that would be detrimental to the safety of the court,'' said Marty Rouse, commander of the sheriff's court services bureau. ``We need to make sure courts never be prevented from administering justice. One way to do that is to ensure the safety of anybody that's participating in a court proceeding.''

Plans call for two X-ray machines and two metal detectors to be installed at the north entrance with another X-ray machine and metal detector on the south side.

``All other exits in the building would basically be cut off,'' said Bruce Doenges, court program manager.

The stairway in a first-floor kiosk would be gutted to accommodate the equipment, and three exit-only revolving doors will be installed.

Doenges said the work would not disrupt court proceedings.

``They should be able to take the staircasing out over the weekend,'' he said. ``The rest of it is out of the way. They could do that during the day without interrupting foot traffic.''