The recent shooting of a congresswoman and 19 others at a supermarket in Arizona has caused local politicians and law enforcement officials to look at ways to improve security for the Golden Triangle”s elected leaders.
U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Pearl, whose 3rd District includes Oktibbeha County, participated in a bipartisan conference call Sunday for all members of Congress. The call was conducted by leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives, along with the U.S. Capitol Sergeant of Arms Office and the U.S. Capitol Police Force, which is responsible for protection of congressmen in Washington D.C. and throughout the rest of the U.S. and its territories.
“Congressman Harper and his congressional staff will be working closely with local and national law enforcement to take steps to be extremely vigilant during the coming days,” Harper Communications Director Adam Buckalew said Wednesday.
As a member of the Committee on House Administration, a panel with jurisdiction over U.S. Capitol Police operations and Capitol Hill security, the congressman will be working with chairman Dan Lungren to discuss steps that might be taken to ensure the security of members of Congress and their staff, both in Washington and in their home districts.
“The startling news from Arizona is a concern for all public servants,” Buckalew said. “The prayers of Congressman Harper”s family and staff go out to Representative Giffords, her family, her staff, and to those families who have lost loved ones in Saturday”s senseless events.”
Harper has honored the House Sergeant-at-Arms” request that all members designate a staff member to serve as a liaison to the U.S. Capitol Police.
First District U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo, is waiting on word from the U.S. Capitol Police Force to see if protection will be increased in the wake of the shooting, Nunnelee Communications Director Alexander Finestone said.
“Congressman Nunnelee and our staff will follow the advice of the Capitol Police regarding security issues as they are directly involved in the investigation of the shooting,” Finestone said.
Although Finestone would not discuss specifics about security around Nunnelee, she did say the congressman doesn”t have police protection at every event he attends.
“But we will work with local law enforcement on a case-by-case basis,” Finestone said of future public events. “We could contact local law enforcement and notify them of an event and they would send over an officer.”
Local security concerns
The shooting in Arizona left Columbus Police Department Chief Joseph St. John wondering if his officers may be called upon for extra security detail at future public events.
“In the past, we haven”t really been asked to do much in regard to activities or special functions like that (at which Giffords and 19 others were shot, six fatally), but we are going to be available if people need us. If people do want a change or want anything else from us, like the City Council, we are going to be there for them.”
At Columbus City Council meetings, the public must walk through a metal detector and past security personnel before entering. St. John then sits in on the meetings and provides a police presence. If a particularly contentious topic is being discussed, St. John may call on one or more additional officers to provide security, he said.
In his 3 1/2 years attending City Council meetings, St. John said he has never seen arguments escalate to the point of physical confrontation. The same can”t be said about West Point, however.
At meetings of the West Point Board of Selectmen, Interim Police Chief Bobby Lane maintains a presence at the front of the room with other city department heads. When a controversial topic is going before the board, or if he feels like there is going to be a “problem” at the meeting, Lane will summon other officers, he said.
“Usually if there”s going to be a problem, we know about it beforehand,” Lane said.
Lane had to summon additional officers in October, when former mayoral candidate Harold Lathon was not on the meeting agenda, but would not stop speaking, even after orders by Lane to be quiet. The interim chief and another officer then tried to remove Lathon from the meeting, but Lathon protested, then went limp and fell to the floor. Eventually, Lathon was handcuffed and led from the meeting room.
Metal detectors in use
At meetings of the Starkville Board of Aldermen, Police Chief David Lindley or another officer typically stands guard next to a metal detector outside the courtroom where the meetings take place. All persons attending the meeting must pass through the metal detector. Lindley then sits in on the proceedings and provides a police presence. Additional officers stand guard during meetings in which a contentious topic, such as Sunday alcohol sales, is before the board.
At Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors meetings, located on the second floor of the Oktibbeha County Courthouse, persons must walk through a metal detector if court is in session in the courtroom next to the meeting room. During all other supervisor meetings, the public does not walk through a metal detector. Oktibbeha County Sheriff”s Office Chief Deputy George Carrithers or another deputy typically sits in on the meetings to maintain order.
Carrithers said he hasn”t heard any talk from supervisors about an increase in security, “although I”m sure it will be a topic of discussion.”
The shooting in Arizona scared one Starkville woman, who did not want to be identified, because it took place at a low-key political event and showed an attack can happen at any time, she said.
“It really hit a nerve for me that we can”t even have little community gatherings anymore without something like this happening,” she said.
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