Signal-blocking cell phone pouches being used at the Barnes County Courthouse. (Newsdakota.com)
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (KFGO/Newsdakota.com) – In a move to improve security, privacy, and attentiveness during court proceedings, several courts across North Dakota have partnered with the company Yondr to create phone-free buildings.
The Barnes County Courthouse in Valley City is the first in North Dakota to implement the system. Before entering the courthouse, visitors place their phones in a secure, signal-blocking pouch. When they are ready to leave the building, a specialized magnet will unlock the pouch.
Yondr spokesman Matt Krzoska is a retired sheriff’s deputy who has experience in courthouse security. He says the cell phone pouches ensure a distraction-free court environment that aligns with courtroom standards and the safety needs of the judicial system.
“The problems that we’re having with cell phones in the courtroom are taking pictures of jurors, recording testimony, victims, things of that nature we didn’t want to have happen,” Krzoska explains. “So what Yondr does is it creates and environment in which the individual can come into the courthouse or courtroom with their cell phone, however, we’re able to secure it in a faraday pouch, which is signal-blocking so that they are not able to use their phone, receive calls, anything like that. And it prevents any courtroom distractions from coming in.”
Krzoska says mobile devices have become an issue in courtrooms in North Dakota and across the country.
“Cell phone distractions have been very prevalent. In my last few years as a sheriff’s officer I actually worked in the courtrooms and numerous times judges were asking people to shut off their cell phones, silence their cell phones, put their cell phones away, things of that nature. So yes, it is a problem.”
Krzoska says a murder trial in Pennsylvania was declared a mistrial because someone took a picture of a juror.
Deputy Emma Buttke, Yondr Court Partnerships spokesman Matt Krzoska, and Barnes County Sheriff Randy McClaflin. (Newsdakota.com)
Sheriff Randy McClaflin says he met with the judge about a month ago to discuss courthouse security. The Yondr pouches started being used on Dec. 10 and visitors will also now go through a metal detector when entering the courthouse.
Barnes County Deputy Emma Buttke was recently assigned to courthouse security. She says, due to staffing shortages, a deputy wasn’t previously assigned to the courthouse. Now, there will always be an officer on site.
“I’m really excited to implement this and help keep the court distraction-free and a lot safer for everyone all around,” Buttke said.
Yondr is used by thousands of schools and courts to facilitate phone-free spaces. It’s been integrated in more than 300 court buildings across the world.
Comments