Holden orders tighter security at state buildings

Associated Press WriterJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Visitors to state government buildings were emptying their pockets and spreading their arms to be scanned by metal detectors Tuesday under new, tighter security measures.

The first day of stepped-up security appeared to be passing without any problems, authorities said.

Most of the beeps from metal detectors were caused by pockets full of quarters, jewelry and belt buckles. And visitors were quickly let through.

State employees with identification badges were allowed to bypass the metal detectors. But Tuesday marked the first time that employees had to show identification to enter their offices.

"We were prepared for the worst and ended up with it working very smoothly," said Capitol Police Chief Lou Tedeschi, whose officers received help from other state law enforcement agencies to monitor the Capitol and eight other large office buildings in Jefferson City.

"I have literally not had one complaint," Tedeschi said Tuesday morning.

Gov. Bob Holden announced Monday that the tighter security measures would start the next day at large state buildings in Jefferson City, Kansas City, St. Louis, St. Joseph and Springfield.

The tighter security is part of the state's response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon and the United States' counterattacks in Afghanistan.

All of the measures were suggested by Holden's new adviser for homeland security, retired Army Col. Tim Daniel.

"We were planning on making these recommendations prior to the initiation of the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan, but we have speeded them up a little bit as a result of the attacks," Daniel said.

Under Holden's orders, access to large state buildings was limited Tuesday to main entrances. The buildings also had more armed, uniformed officers, including members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. They were checking bags and monitoring loading docks, deliveries and mail room activities.

Officers searched a purse and box of papers that Anne Gardner was carrying for a meeting of the state personnel advisory committee in the Truman Building, the largest office complex in the capital city. She passed without trouble.

"It didn't bother me a bit. I was glad to see it," Gardner said.

Holden also has announced that he will convene a Missouri Security Panel, composed of officials from state government and local law enforcement to improve communication and decision-making and conduct an intensive statewide security audit.

The group will be led by Daniel, who described Tuesday's new safety measures as just the first step in beefing up Missouri's security.

"There is no specific threat against any facilities or property in the state of Missouri today," Daniel said. "But as you look around and decide what is the best course of action, clearly the buildings that have large numbers of people in them or represent a certain symbol which might attract an attack, such as the Capitol itself, deserve protection."

Some of the new security measures had been rejected in the past.

For example, Capitol Police previously pushed for metal detectors and employee identification badges. But those measures were left out of a security plan adopted after the 1995 bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City.

In the past, there were concerns about restricting access to the Statehouse, which is visited by thousands of tourists and school children annually.

But during a special legislative session underway when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred, several legislators wrote or talked to Capitol Police requesting greater security at the building.

Many state employees already have identification cards issued by the department for which they work. But Daniel's plan includes a standardized, state-of-the-art identification card for all employees -- something that could take a while to accomplish.

Until then, employees who aren't carrying identification cards or their driver's licenses may be asked to have someone vouch for them, Daniel said.

------On the Net:

Gov. Bob Holden: http://www.gov.state.mo.us