Anyone that has ever visited the capitol knows that anyone can just walk in when doors are open.
It's like that for a reason to allow the public to have access to their lawmakers.
It may seem unsecure however it’s anything but.
From barricades to security cameras and officers on standby 24 hours a day 7 days a week, believe our state capital building is a secure one.
“We have a uniform presence here that are on foot, vehicle as well as bicycle,” said Lt. Kyle Bowman, from Michigan State Police. “We also use plain clothes troopers that will patrol the capitol area and we work with the City of Lansing and their police officers.”
Michigan State Police take the job of protecting the capitol very seriously.
Training, procedures, and protocols are in place and are reviewed after each incident happening around the country and around the world.
“We look at everything that happens and we monitor it working with the state intelligence center as they monitor suspicious activity as well as known trends that have been successful in other areas to determine whether or not we have vulnerability here,” said Bowman.
Senator Rick Jones, R- Grand Ledge, served as a police officer for 31 years before going into politics.
“Anybody that goes into politics knows that they can be a target at any time,” said Jones.
The dangers of both roles is something that's never slipped Jones’ mind.
“We have armed sergeants here in Lansing that do everything they can to stop violence and protect people in politics,” said Jones. “But you never know when someone is going to snap and do something crazy.”
While anything can happen at any time, it’s best to be on guard wherever you may be.
“If you see something suspicious, report it,” said Bowman. “It doesn't mean that it has to happen at that time if you know someone that is talking about acts of violence towards the political environment that's an opportunity for people to speak up.”
All Michigan State Police troopers are trained to deal with active shooter situations.
