Metal detector still out at Indianapolis City-County Building

Marion County judges said Friday they were unaware that a metal detector has been broken and out of commission for weeks at a public entrance of the Indianapolis City-County Building.

The detector situated to screen all visitors entering the courthouse and municipal building from the Washington Street entrance has been inoperable for at least six weeks. Deputies have asked visitors to empty their pockets into bins, and guards occasionally rifle through purses and wallets as a precaution because visual screening equipment also is broken.

Marion Circuit Judge Louis Rosenberg, whose office in conjunction with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for building security, said Friday he was unaware of the outage. He said early Friday afternoon he would look into the problem and act swiftly. Messages left for a sheriff’s department official were not immediately returned Friday afternoon.

Guards previously said they had been informed that repair or replacement of the equipment could take weeks. Friday, a guard asked when repairs were expected replied, “when Jesus comes back. They’re on their own pace.”