Security measures in New York courtrooms are in place to help prevent incidents like the shooting in Middletown Wednesday morning. Our Erin Connolly has more from Albany.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Security measures in New York courtrooms are in place to help prevent incidents like the shooting in Middletown Wednesday morning.

Albany City Hall is a building that hundreds of people go to everyday. It not only houses traffic court, but also the offices of the mayor and the city treasurer.

Once you step through the doors, you will see it is similar to many other city halls and court houses across the state. Immediately, you are greeted by officers, you put your belongings in a basket and then go through a metal detector.

Elected officials and attorneys say while safety is always a concern, security measures are in place to try to prevent a situation like the one in Middletown.

"The officers and staff in this building really have an understanding of public safety. Obviously, it isn't just about a metal detector. It is conversations, talking to people, understanding what their role really is. To make sure no one comes in here and does something like this man tried to pull off," said Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings.

"It should be that way, because again, emotions run awfully high. It's crazy, but you just don't know what people are thinking, so you have to have the security," legal expert Arnie Proskin said.

Prior to 9/11, Albany police say that city hall had no security. After 9/11, extra precautions were taken.