FEDERAL BUILDING HERE CONSIDER SECURE

Cape Girardeau Federal Building officials plan no changes in security, said Walt Bradley, supervisor of the U.S. marshal's office in the building.

"We have adequate security," said Bradley. "If we had any reservations about the facility here, we would close it."

His remarks were in response to a deluge of telephone calls to the Cape Girardeau Federal Building following the deadly bombing Wednesday morning of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

There were no complaints about the security system at the Federal Building here Wednesday. People going into the building readily emptied their pockets and stepped through the metal detector device.

"Everything has to go through the metal detector," said Duane Cary, building superintendent. "All packages and even mail goes through the electric eye.

"We have good security," said Cary. "We don't have underground parking areas, and the rear entrance of the building is locked at all times and can only be entered by someone with a card key."

Non-employees of the building are not allowed to enter through the back door.

The rear entrance is televised on a screen in the front security area, said Bradley. He said it is standard procedure to have full screening in all federal buildings where judges or magistrates are assigned. A full-time U.S. magistrate was established at the Cape Girardeau Federal Building in 1991.

"We've had a number of complaints about the security system since it was installed," said Cary. "Happenings like the Oklahoma City bombing justify the fact that security is needed."

"We were glad when the security system was established," said Lloyd Smith in 10th District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson's office in the Federal Building here. "It can be an inconvenience, but we've always been glad it's there."

"It's difficult to think something like this can happen in the heartland," Smith said of the bombing. "It's scary."

"We've had no inquiries involving relatives and friends in the bombing area," said Mary Burton, executive director of the Southeast chapter of the American Red Cross. "Normally we would be contacted."

The local Red Cross chapter has not been asked for medical assistance or blood supplies.

"But we are still urging people to donate blood during area blood drives," said Burton. A list of blood drives is available by calling the local Red Cross office at 335-9471.