Ray County officials are working to make courthouse security procedures clearer for visitors as renewed bag and purse searches have drawn concerns from some entering the building.

Presiding Commissioner Sheila Tracy recently raised concerns surrounding the screening process with Sheriff’s Office Sgt. David Francken, including plans for signage notifying visitors of bag searches and the possibility of obtaining X-ray screening equipment.

Tracy noted some women entering the courthouse have been surprised to learn their purses would be searched and questioned whether a sign should notify visitors that bags brought through security will be checked.

Francken said he planned to create signage explaining the procedure and acknowledged bag searches may seem new to some visitors because the practice had stopped for a period of time.

“We had everything set up downstairs, but they didn’t go through bags,” stated Francken. “They were told they weren’t allowed to do that by the previous administration.…