We support the Freeborn County Board of Commissioner’s vote on Tuesday to move ahead with contracts for a $1.6 million project for security upgrades mostly at the Freeborn County courthouse and jail.

Unfortunately in this day and age, technology advances at such a quick pace that systems outdate themselves so much faster than we would all like to see.

Freeborn County Administrator Tom Jensen said in an article that printed in Monday’s edition that the county can no longer obtain replacement parts for the security system.

It only seems like common sense to move forward with security upgrades throughout the courthouse and particularly in the jail — for the sake of all of the employees there, the inmates, any residents at the courthouse and the community as a whole.

The upgrades include system controls, video cameras, alarms, intercom upgrades and door controls. In addition to cameras at the courthouse and jail, the project includes cameras at the county highway shop and cameras at City Hall and City Garage as part of the information technology agreement with the city. Other work is planned at the highway and human services departments.

These upgrades will help promote safety and accountability.