State Patrol steps up to new safety challenges

PATRICK CONDON THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Monday, March 11, 2002

OLYMPIA -- For visitors to the State Capitol this legislative session, it's been hard to avoid the state troopers, outfitted in their distinctive light blue uniforms, holding watch in nearly every marbled hallway.

State Patrol officials say they've increased the number of troopers guarding the Capitol by 30 percent.

And it's definitely because of Sept. 11.

"Sept. 11 brought a new recognition to what's going on around us," said Capt. Glenn Kramer, spokesman for the State Patrol.

At the Capitol, it's a delicate balance. As the most visible symbol of state government, the patrol wants to keep a close watch on who comes and goes. At the same time, they want to preserve its status as "the people's house" and make sure that taxpayers continue to have easy access to the legislative process.

"Basically, we want to be vigilant without being in peoples' face," Kramer said. "We're always going to start with a polite inquiry."

When the legislative session ends, Kramer said, patrol officials will reassess their presence and probably scale it back. It will become a moot point this summer when the Capitol closes for a long-term renovation project.

The patrol also continues to provide security on state ferries, at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard, and has evaluated all of its internal plans that lay out response to critical incidents and disturbances.

Other changes seem more mundane, Kramer said, but are still important: requiring that troopers check their uniforms when they drop them off at the dry cleaners, making sure they account for every piece of the uniform so that it doesn't go missing, double-checking that squad cars are always locked.

"These are things we've always done. It was just important that we remind people of them," Kramer said.

Since Sept. 11, the State Fire Marshal's Office has drastically increased the amount of seminars it offers on responding to terrorism and release of hazardous materials. In the past six months, they've led 33 such seminars, said Anjela Foster, a deputy fire marshal.

The Washington National Guard also has been busy since Sept. 11. The Guard's new mission of guarding state airports at the request of President Bush has just been extended 60 days, to the end of May.

About 200 Guard members also are soon to head north to guard the U.S.-Canada border. They are being trained at Fort Lewis for the duty.

The Guard is still checking the identification of all visitors to their base at Camp Murray, although they have lifted those requirements on their local armories like the one on Eastside Avenue in Olympia.

Col. Rick Patterson, information officer for the state Guard, said he doesn't expect the increased level of Guard activity to abate anytime soon.

"The world is changing," Patterson said.

Patrick Condon covers state government for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-753-1688 or at pcondon@olympia. gannett.com.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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