Media for [telecom] Criminal courts building begins cellphone ban without a hitch

[telecom] Criminal courts building begins cellphone ban without a hitch

Criminal courts building begins cellphone ban without a hitch

No arrests reported as people entering 26th and California told to stow electronic devices

By Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune reporter April 16, 2013

A crackdown on cellphones and other electronics that began Monday at the busiest criminal court facility in the country led to lines at storage kiosks and frustrated some visitors but caused no major problems, Cook County sheriff's officials said.

Visitors entering at the Leighton Criminal Court Building at 26th Street and California Avenue were met by sheriff's deputies shouting from the top of the main steps that cellphones were not being allowed inside. Signs warning of the ban have been on display for months, including in the parking areas around the courthouse.

Inside the lobby security area, those who were not able to stow their smartphones, computer tablets or other electronic devices in their car were directed to two storage kiosks charging $3 each to slip the item in a plastic bag and stash it in a small locker with a sliding door.

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