For the first time, visitors to the Connecticut Capitol and the Legislative Office Building will all have to be screened by security.
“It’s just a step” said Scott Driscoll, of the Capitol Police. “It’s a progressive step that we’ve taken over the course of the years, of all the steps we’ve taken to ensure the safety here.”
At the entrances to both the Capitol and the LOB, visitors could expect to be screened by contracted security guards and the Capitol Police. The security measures aren’t uncommon. Since September 11, 2001 officials at state and federal buildings across the country have stepped up their approaches to safety.
Driscoll says it might take some time for visitors to get used to the new processes like emptying their pockets and walking through metal detectors but eventually it should become a routine.
“We’re going to be working out some kinks in the road” Driscoll said. “It’s going to take a couple of days into it but we’re going to be doing everything we can to make it as easy as possible to get people into the building.”
Taxpayers will be providing the cash to pay for the new staff and equipment. According to the Office of Legislative Management, the estimated cost of the new security checkpoints is $600,000.
