Franklin County Commissioners Approve $104K Security Contract Amid Rising Threats
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners has approved a new $104,000 security and risk management contract with ETS Risk Management Inc., as concerns grow nationwide about threats to elected officials.
During the October 28 meeting, commissioners voted 2-0 to hire ETS Risk Management to evaluate the county government’s current security framework and develop comprehensive recommendations for improvement. Commissioner John O’Grady was absent from the vote.
According to Molly Thrasher, spokesperson for the board, ETS Risk Management will conduct a detailed assessment of the county’s facilities, policies, and potential vulnerabilities. The company will also provide ongoing support as Franklin County implements new safety measures.
“Threats against public officials have been steadily increasing across the nation,” Thrasher said. “Some of our county leaders have received direct threats. We believe in being proactive rather than waiting for tragedy to strike.”
The newly approved resolution outlines the need for a robust countywide security framework that addresses ideological extremism, workplace violence, and social media threats targeting public officials.
Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin has expressed support for the security review and will collaborate with ETS Risk Management throughout the assessment.
Earlier this month, the commissioners also approved a $77,250 contract with Montu Ra LLC, a local security firm led by a martial arts instructor, to protect county commissioners and the prosecutor during public events. That move sparked tension with the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, which argues that security for officials should remain the duty of sheriff’s deputies.
Despite the controversy, Board President Erica Crawley reaffirmed that the decision was driven by “national trends and ongoing threats” to public officials, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety across all county operations.
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