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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Your thoughts on yesterday’s Capitol Complex lockdown?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 12:24 pm

Comments

An overreaction to a crazy baseless loon when you have every door in the place covered by armed guards. It isn’t 2004 anymore.

Comment by Mr. Jimmy Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 12:33 pm
ILGA and SoS can- and must - do better. The texting some people but not all, the lobbyists left unaware and exposed, doors that don’t lock, a PA system that sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher to most - all of these are fixable. Do it.

Comment by loyal virus Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 12:37 pm
Alexi has some explaining to do. I’m glad he’s good at a positive press hit, but this is the moment he needs to rise to and we haven’t seen it yet.

Comment by lol Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 12:40 pm
= It isn’t 2004 anymore.=

Have you been living in a hole?

Comment by John Lee Pettimore Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 12:52 pm
It’s fairly clear there have been no unannounced operational drills for this scenario prior to this, to test preparedness, find vulnerabilities and any other weaknesses that may need to be improved.

Thankfully this was nothing, but hopefully the opportunity presented here isn’t being ignored.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 12:55 pm
There was a story in CNN online about “Swatters” and how there are groups now making money off this development. Unfortunately, there is not much law enforcement can do when a threat is conveyed such as yesterday. They have to take each threat seriously. The answer is standard safety protocol and procedures. Clearly, there is work to do after what is being described at the Capitol yesterday.

Comment by Nagidam Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 1:05 pm
===Have you been living in a hole? ===

Apparently. But, as the commenter notes, there are armed guards now. However, if a determination is made that the guards aren’t sufficient and a lockdown is in order, then get the lockdown right.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 1:08 pm
SOS should have an emergency manual with details on armed intrusion that all Capitol employees or at least supervisors are well versed in. Then follow up with training like Run-hide-fight. The one huge advantage the capitol has is 24-hour on-staff armed LEO’s.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 1:11 pm
The lack of consistent communication was very frustrating. I work near the Capitol and I was aware that something was going on before some people inside the Capitol were told anything. I was scared knowing that my partner was inside the building with a possible threat and I would’ve appreciated more information throughout the whole afternoon.

Comment by Outsider Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 1:14 pm
Seems like the information gathered from yesterday could be very useful in making corrections. Like an unplanned pressure test that exposed a lot of leaks. Door locks not working is a problem. Fixable. Lack of text notifications is a problem that’s fixable too. Alexi has our phone numbers. Make it a part of lobbyist registration and staff training. People not knowing what to do seemed like a big issue. Can be fixed. The easiest groups to reach are employees, members and lobbyists who are regularly in the capitol. Not as sure about what to do on days like today with hundreds of visitors.

Comment by Bentoh's Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 1:18 pm
this is scary fear chatter. It’s hard just reading it. and it is an important necessary read to gather thoughts and feelings. everybody have a Wed beverage and stay safe.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 1:36 pm
== Make it a part of lobbyist registration and staff training.==

I was thinking the same way. Lobbyists and state employees must take ethics training, harassment training, and the like. Should be a way to incorporate safety training. At a minimum, lobbyists are registered with SOS, so there should be a way to do text/email blasts. Presumably there is a similar contact list of Capitol Complex staff.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 2:04 pm
==An overreaction==

Every threat has to be taken seriously. If you don’t and something happens then I wouldn’t want to be the person who chose to ignore the threat.

Also, it doesn’t matter whether there are armed security guards. If you’ve got a badge you can bypass the detectors. A gun could easily get into the Capitol. If you want to avoid that then you’ll need to screen everyone entering the building regardless of whether or not they have a badge.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 2:09 pm
Everyone or just about everyone has to take anti-sexual harrassment training , maybe emergency procedures training should be added.

Comment by just because Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 2:18 pm
=Every threat has to be taken seriously. If you don’t and something happens then I wouldn’t want to be the person who chose to ignore the threat.=

This. Spot on.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 4:10 pm
Talk to the people in charge of security in the capitol complex in DC. They have a robust notification system and have a similar campus & visitor population.

Comment by northsider (the original) Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 5:12 pm
There were student groups at the complex yesterday. How traumatizing.

Comment by TheSouthern Wednesday, Mar 13, 24 @ 8:54 pm