Capitol Police will begin security clampdown (school groups, too!?!) at end of month

Remember when the north, south east and west entrances of the Capitol were open to the public? That all changed with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. For years, the only doors open, much to the mystification if not the consternation of visitors who often try many doors before they find the right ones, are on the south side, near the governor’s parking space below the statute of Ella Grasso and the west side’s handicapped entrance. Blue-blazered security people are stationed inside those entrances, with similar employees in the three main entrances at the adjacent Legislative Office Building. In keeping with 21st Century paranoia and the build-up of paramilitary security forces, the clamp down will begin at the end of the month. For several months, high-security scanners have been sitting idle at various entrances. An experiment during a hearing on gun control in April of last year resulted in 45-minute lines for the public and lobbyists.

Well get ready for the return of these hassles. The blogster can almost hear the moan coming up from the hundreds of lobbyists who are in the Capitol complex every day during the legislative session.

Here is part of the gobbledygook release from from the State Capitol Police:

“…In our continuing mission to provide the safest environment for legislators, staff, and the nearly 150,000 annual visitors, including more than 25,000 school children, to the Capitol Complex, the Connecticut State Capitol Police Department will be deploying weapons detection equipment (metal detectors and package scanners) at the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building on August 28, 2014. The SCPD will be implementing a program that requires all visitors and deliveries to be screened. Anyone with a Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) issued ID/Access card will not be screened but will follow certain protocols for entering and exiting both buildings. Details of the program are as follows:
 LOB West (Main Entrance)
o All visitors including school groups will be screened through a metal detector and all belongings will get screened with a package scanner.
o Staff, legislators and anyone with a CGA issued ID/access card can utilize these entrances and will not be scanned. They can utilize their ID/access card to enter the buildings through optical turnstiles.
o Anyone will be able to exit the building through this area.
 Capitol West Entrance
o All visitors including school groups will be screened through a metal detector and all belongings will get screened with a package scanner.
o Staff, legislators and anyone with a CGA issued ID/access card can utilize these entrances and will not be scanned. They can utilize their ID/access card to enter the buildings through optical turnstiles.
o Anyone will be able to exit the building through this area.
 The LOB East (Terrace) Entrance
o Anyone with a CGA issued ID/access card will be able to enter the building through security vestibules by using their card.
o Anyone will be able to exit the building through this area.
 LOB Skywalk Entrance
o Anyone with a CGA issued ID/access card will be able to enter the building through security vestibules by using their card.
o Anyone will be able to exit the building through this area.
 Capitol South West Entrance
o Anyone with a CGA issued ID/access card will be able to enter the building through security vestibules by using their card.
o Anyone will be able to exit the building through this area.
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 LOB Basement Garage Entrance
o Anyone with LOB Basement parking privileges will be able to enter the building through security vestibules by using their card.
 All deliveries will be made to the loading dock located in the rear of the Legislative Office Building.
o All packages will be scanned prior to delivery into the building.
o Delivery personnel requiring access to the building will be screened through a metal detector.
o Deliveries will no longer be accepted at the State Capitol Building.
The SCPD has added an explosives detection dog to its ranks as part of the screening process.
If you have any questions or comments concerning these programs, please contact Lieutenant Keith Zengel (phone: 860-240-5218 or e-mail: keith.zengel@cga.ct.gov) or Sergeant Jon Sylvester (phone: 860-240-5224 or e-mail: jonathan.sylvester@cga.ct.gov). Sergeant Sylvester conducts a community service open forum meeting for the legislative community on a quarterly basis. The meeting is open to all to address any concerns that have a bearing on law enforcement, safety and security within the Capitol complex and The Old State House. These meetings work to enhance communication between the State Capitol Police and the legislative community. Any concerns or problems that are voiced during this forum will be addressed. Notifications of the date, time, and location of these meetings will be sent out by e-mail. If you cannot attend the forum meetings, you can contact Sergeant Sylvester by phone or e-mail to express your concerns.
All members of the legislative community are reminded to wear their General Assembly identification cards whenever you are in the State Capitol/LOB complex to help ensure a safe and secure environment.
Individual awareness, cooperation, and involvement are critical to the success of any safety and security program. Everyone should assume responsibility for their own personal safety and the safety of others by attending these or similar programs, following established security procedures, keeping informed about security risks, and exercising safety-conscious behavior.”