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More on the security situation

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Illinois

The governor’s director of homeland security, Carl Hawkinson, e-mailed a few minutes ago:

I am advised that all floors At JRTC are covered by Security

JRTC is the James R. Thompson Center.

But the type of security coverage at the JRTC is unnerving to some, including Secretary of State Jesse White.

“We have some concerns.” said White’s spokesman Dave Druker. “No disrespect to Mr. Hawkinson, but I don’t think we have seen that,” Druker said about security covering all floors.

The security guys aren’t stationed at specific spots checking identification, like they were before, and that may be creating a hole in the system. “The problem,” Druker said, “is that peple can really move around the building unnoticed, without checking in at any location.”

White’s concerns were so great that he, “brought a security guard to cover our area on the 5th floor.”

Other constitutional officers without their own police forces aren’t so lucky. “It is unbelievable,” said a top aide to one CO. “You go up to (the governor’s) office and there is a metal detector and guards and everything. We are completely exposed.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 1, 04 @ 2:05 pm

Comments

Even when they had the security guards on each floor, I didn’t feel they had much authority. The sign at the desk warned people that didn’t sign in that they would be reported to CMS. Funny, being reported to CMS doesn’t quite bring on a feeling of dread.

The contrast between the safety (and isolation) of the Governor’s office and the lack of security elsewhere in the JRTC is a good metaphor for this administration. Unfortunately, it’s not the only real life metaphor.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 1, 04 @ 4:52 pm
Well, call me naive or unreasonable, but I think most of the security guards are overkill. We pay for that building, and if people want to take the elevator up to the 17th floor and take in that magnificent view, they should be able to do it without hassle. It’s not like anyone really wants to attack the State Board of Education. . . .maybe the state money would be better spent on mental health programs to care for those poor souls afflicted with the worst diseases, and spare us all the violence that can come from them.

Comment by Dan Johnson-Weinberger Monday, Nov 1, 04 @ 6:18 pm
As long as I don’t have to present ID to order Orange Chicken at the Panda Express, they can do what they will with security in the Thompson Center.

Comment by So-Called Austin Mayor Monday, Nov 1, 04 @ 7:43 pm