Pubdate: Sun, 06 Sep 2015
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Tony Spears
Page: 3

EXTRA COURT SECURITY'S A PAIN, BUT IT HASN'T GONE TO POT

The new courthouse security regime has been a modest annoyance and a 
modest success.

Mornings, as predicted, have seen line-ups of people waiting to get 
into the Elgin St. courthouse as security staff put people through 
metal detectors and bags through electronic scanners.

But even on Monday - the first day of the new regime - the peak wait 
time clocked in at just over 20 minutes.

The long-planned security protocol has brought an unexpected haul of 
contraband as members of the public - and even members of the bar who 
are not yet properly credentialed and must be searched along with 
everyone else - adjust to the list of forbidden things.

A king's ransom of nail clippers is chief among items seized, 
courthouse sources reveal.

Members of the public have also been relieved of cutlery, 
particularly kitchen knives, in the interest of public safety.

One bottle of alcohol was also liberated, though there are 
conflicting accounts as to its precise nature.

Multi-tools - like Swiss Army knives - have also been taken.

Smokers, however, have been allowed to enter with lighters.

All of these items are to be found on the list of prohibited items 
circulated by police ahead of the security change.

But on the first day of the new regime, a large and fragrant Ziploc 
bag of marijuana slipped through security.

It could hardly be called a security breach. The pot in question was 
strictly legit and belonged to licensed user Ray Turmel.

He was in court Monday in the hopes of witnessing James Turner, 
charged with pot trafficking, score a great legal victory over 
federal Crown prosecutors.

Turmel, armed with a sign advocating the legalization of marijuana, 
brandished the bud outside the courthouse before tucking it into a 
canvas shopping bag and braving security.

The Sun watched as his bag went through the scanner - and was 
returned to him without a word spoken.

Turmel, positively giddy and redolent with a certain skunky odour, 
went up to the third-floor courtroom unmolested.

He was no threat to anyone.

(As for Turner, his victory did not transpire as expected and he 
returns to court in the fall.)

According to the police list, prohibited items also include such 
diverse items as corkscrews, tweezers, chains, firearms (imitation or 
otherwise), razor blades, syringes and stun guns.

Anyone with a banned item is generally allowed to leave with it and 
store it elsewhere. Items confiscated by security are not returned.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom