County Admin Building Beefed up Starting Aug. 1

CREST HAVEN — Effective Aug. 1, there will be a security guard stationed at the front door of the Cape May County William E. Sturm Administration Building, 4 Moore Road weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
That upgrade in vigilance comes in the wake of concerns voiced by Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton that the building which houses many of the county’s departments and personnel was largely unguarded from around 7:30 a.m. until closing, sometimes after a late-night meeting.
As part of the change, evening meetings for most boards have been relocated to the Jury Management Room of the main courthouse on North Main Street, Court House. Security is always present there.
Given the nation’s recent history of armed individuals entering workplaces, even in remote geographical areas, and carrying out murderous acts, Thornton was concerned for the safety of all in the rambling one-story building that formerly was Crest Haven Nursing Home.
Shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, when the mood of the nation changed, the only noticeable change at the county administration building was for visitors to sign a log when they entered and departed. They were asked their destination or person to be visited, and a temporary visitor’s pass was issued and was to be worn.
Another facet of the security concern arose after working hours.
Some county boards held evening meetings in the Intermediate Meeting Room, farther down the hall, south from the main, or freeholder meeting room, which is immediately off the front lobby.
Getting to that smaller meeting room meant having the a large portion of the building open.
Closure of the building after those meetings might mean having a roving security guard ensure that the building was secured.
Director of Operations Edmund Grant told freeholders at the Tue., July 24 meeting “Everyone is happy,” with the change in venue. He added that many were involved in the shift that will make the building more secure.