Committee calls for added security at the State Capitol

An advisory committee trying to come up with ways to make Minnesota's State Capitol more secure released some suggestions today.

The report calls for increasing the number of state troopers working at the Capitol from two officers to 12. It also calls for the Commissioner of Public Safety to oversee security decisions regarding the State Capitol complex. The committee did not recommend metal detectors to screen people entering the complex.

The panel of state lawmakers, law enforcement personnel and government building managers has been meeting for several months. Some of the work was done in private so the panel could discuss security issues.

A 2009 report by the Legislative Auditor found that the Capitol has significant security problems. The final report is expected to be adopted at a public meeting of the Advisory Committee in early January.

Here's the draft report:

Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security DRAFT RPT 11-30-12

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