Cobb building, parking decks to receive security upgrades

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday authorized $1.2 million in security system upgrades to the county building and three parking decks.

Security cameras and emergency telephones will be added to the parking decks at 30 and 115 Waddell St. and 191 Lawrence St.

To the county building at 100 Cherokee St., security upgrades will include a card reader system and public access only at the main entrance with monitoring by the sheriff’s office.

Also, perimeter security, door control and closed-circuit television will be installed.

Most of the $1.2 million will be $1,074,500 to relocate the displaced human resources office to make way for the screening equipment at the main entrance.

Also, $50,000 will be spent to relocate the purchasing department to provide space for the human resources office and $45,000 for a new sheriff patrol car.

Three more deputy sheriffs, for $52,090 this year and $208,358 in next year’s budget, will be funded to patrol the county building and parking decks.

Commissioner Bob Weatherford said this security system is “sorely needed with 1,000 people working in this complex.”