HARTFORD, CT — The Capitol Police are increasing patrols and leaving up the barriers they used for last week’s swearing-in ceremony after reports of a Federal Bureau of Investigation memo about possible armed protests at all 50 state capitols.
“The State Capitol Police is committed to providing a safe and secure environment in which to conduct the legislative process,” the Capitol Police said in a statement Tuesday.
Officer Scott Driscoll said if there are events in Hartford this weekend, police will be “over prepared.”
Sources say it’s likely an event will be held Sunday, but intelligence has been hard to gather with sites like Parler gone. Tech platforms booted the social network for failing to moderate violent rhetoric that led to the deadly scene at the U.S. Capitol last week.
In the meantime, Capitol Police will be increasing security and K9s will be doing daily security sweeps of the Legislative Office Building Garage, Legislative Office Building, the Capitol building and Capitol grounds with police “highly visible” inside and outside on campus. The LOB garage and parking around the Capitol will be closed to the public.
Capitol Police said they are in communication with Hartford police, state police, governor’s security, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
“The Connecticut State Capitol Police has gone to great lengths to provide a safe and secure working environment and will continue to do so,” Capitol Police said in a statement.
The Connecticut State Police are also monitoring the situation.
“Understand that we are constantly monitoring events and information. We are sharing information with our local, state and federal partners. While we are very focused on the safety of all, at this point, we cannot get into specifics,” Brian Foley, spokesperson for the Department of Emergency Services and Management said Monday.
At his daily press briefing Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont said, state, local and national agencies are working together, “tracking social media very, very carefully and so, we’ll be ready, but I have a high degree of confidence that Connecticut is going to stay peaceful.”
Paul Mounds, Lamont’s chief of staff, said the Connecticut National Guard stands ready to provide support to partners in D.C., but at this point, no requests have been made.
As far as the Capitol in Hartford is concerned, Mounds said the governor is receiving daily security briefings that will continue through the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden Jr. on Jan. 20.
“The state of Connecticut from a security standpoint will be ready and prepared,” Mounds said.
Mounds declined to provide any information about any specific threats the state may have received.
