Balancing threats with public access, Maine Capitol Police beef up security • Maine Morning Star

Over the past two years, members of the Maine Capitol Police have visited state capitols across the country, learning how various law enforcement agencies are handling the increase in security issues.

These include bomb threats, hoaxes, and suspicious powder on mail — all of which happened in Maine just last year — in addition to armed protests seen in places like Michigan in recent years. 

Threats of violence have been made against Maine’s political leaders at all levels. Last March, there were emailed threats made against two state lawmakers who co-sponsored a controversial bill about reproductive health services and gender-affirming treatments. And on Thanksgiving, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden was reported to have bomb threats sent to his home in Lewiston. 

Though these politically-charged security risks are widespread, states may take their own approach to keeping their facilities safe. Maine Capitol Police Chief Matt Clancy said agencies throughout the country are working on developing best practices, but he’s focused on adopting policies and procedures that he feels are best for Maine. 

Some state capitols Clancy visited felt a little too “tight,” white others didn’t even screen visitors upon entry, as is done in Augusta. 

“Here we’re trying to build a balance of providing the type of security that we feel makes the facilities here very accessible and inviting without being overbearing,” Clancy said. 

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As a result of this work, Clancy said there will be some new security measures in place for the 132nd Maine Legislature. The session is starting to ramp up, with legislators sworn in, committee orientation meetings on the calendar for this week and cloture, the deadline for bills to be submitted, set for Friday. 

While many of the enhanced security measures are “unseen,” as Clancy described them, there will be some noticeable changes, especially for people who frequent the State House.

One such change is the new Capitol Police K9. Visitors will see Ted — a nod to Red Sox legend Ted Williams, which was changed from Jeter to keep peace with New England sports fans — regularly patrolling the State House, but he will also be called in to assist with bomb threats. 

Hoax bomb threats have been particularly problematic in recent years. Last year, there were several threats, including one the first day of the session that forced lawmakers and visitors to evacuate. 

Though he couldn’t speak to the procedural details of responding to such threats, Clancy said his team’s goal is to thoroughly vet them while letting the Legislature get back to its business quickly — or in some cases, without any disruptions. Having a K9 will help improve that response, he said.

The other more noticeable changes will be in the Burton Cross Building, which sits next to the State House and connects through a tunnel. The building houses many of the legislative committee rooms in addition to agencies, such as the Maine Secretary of State’s Division of Elections.

Last session, Capitol Police started staffing the Cross Building with security personnel. This year, there will be even more of a presence, Clancy said. 

Additionally, in the coming months, construction will begin on a new security screening area in the Cross Building, similar to what people have to go through to enter the State House. Clancy said they are currently accepting bids for the $7 million project and he expects it will take about 18 months to complete. 

Though Clancy said there is pressure in being responsible for the safety and security of facilities, lawmakers, and visitors, “you also have to understand that it’s the people’s house.”

“This is their house, they can come in and do their thing, be heard,” he said. 

Striking that balance, he said, will take regular evaluation of how new and old procedures are working in today’s political climate. One way the Capitol Police hope to stay vigilant without being overbearing is through its new security operations center located at its satellite station on the East Campus, which is situated across the Kennebec River. 

Clancy said his team decided to create that space after visiting other complexes across the country. The operations center has three workstations and a camera wall, allowing officers to remotely keep tabs on spaces in the State House and communicate concerns with those on the ground.

Since the political world exists outside of the walls of the State House, Capitol Police are also monitoring chatter online — like they did with the threats made against lawmakers last year that was said to be related to a social media post. 

Vetting online discourse and threats requires the same nuance as protecting the physical security of the building, he said, balancing First Amendment rights and being prudent about the information that’s out there. The chief said it’s the cases where there were warning signs ahead of a bad scenario that keep him up at night.