Home > Political Notebook > Archives > 2009 > February > 16 > Entry
Senate Republicans look at trimming Capitol security
There’s nothing more annoying for Capitol regulars than having to time and again empty their pockets, doff their shoes, take off their belts and go through the metal detectors.
Oh, don’t forget about that watch.
During the Senate Republicans’ caucus meeting today, state Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, said axing the Capitol security could shave some needed money out of Colorado’s budget.
“How much can we save if we get rid of the ridiculous metal detectors at this building?” he said.
Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, harkening back to the 2007 Capitol shooting that ushered in the era of improved security at “the people’s house,” said the incident itself underlined that the Colorado State Patrol’s plans then were sufficient for building security.
“He was contained and neutralized and then we decided to lock down the (building),” Mitchell said.
The caucus’ sole representative on the Joint Budget Committee, Sen. Al White, R-Hayden, told his colleagues that state employees’ concerns about their personal safety could hamper any effort to trim back Capitol security.
Sen. David Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, said he had a better idea: “Let ’em carry.”
*Capitol photo shot by Political Notebook.
Comments