Relief on the way for courthouse security lines

County commissioners Tuesday approved a plan that should shorten lines to get into the Regional Justice Center.

The plan would add eight new court marshals to operate two scanners loaned to the courthouse by the Nevada Supreme Court, at minimal cost to county taxpayers.

"We are going to improve the line for everyone," Chief Judge Jennifer Togliatti told commissioners.

The security checkpoint at the entrance to the courthouse is frequently plagued by long lines, which often stretch out the door in the morning.

Togliatti said she hasn't had enough marshals to man the checkpoint, and lines back up when hundreds of people, including jurors, have to remove their belts and shoes and go through a metal detector.

The Supreme Court will fund most of two spots, and the court officials will be able to add six more by rearranging existing positions.

Togliatti said shorter lines probably will be months away because she has to hire people to fill the spots.

Sisolak objected to the courthouse's practice of allowing attorneys to skip to the front of the line. "I have a major, major problem when people are treated in disparate fashion," he said.

But Togliatti said that practice will continue.

Commissioners on Tuesday also:

■ Delayed creating a new ordinance that would replace news racks on the Strip with ones owned and managed by the county. The move, which was pushed to December over concerns about free speech and the results of an upcoming pedestrian traffic study, is part of the county's effort to clean up the state's biggest tourist corridor.

■ Approved a request for a $1 million federal grant, with the county matching it with $325,000, to add parking spaces and enhancements to the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign on Las Vegas Boulevard. If approved, the project would be finished in September 2014.