Gov't audit finds lax security at US courthouses

[November 20, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Justice Department review of federal courthouse security has found that training is so lax at some courthouses that some security officers don't even know how to use basic equipment, including X-ray machines and metal detectors.

The Inspector General audit released Friday also says court security officers, whose work is overseen by the U.S. Marshals Service, missed several mock explosives hidden in packages screened at courthouses. And in one instance, they let a lawyer pass through a security checkpoint with a gun.

The audit also concludes that not all district security offices routinely send information about arrests and other security breaches, and criticizes the Marshals Service for not fully analyzing data that is submitted.

[Associated Press; By ALICIA A. CALDWELL]

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