The Lead

Pa. Capitol Complex security increased following violence in D.C.

By: - January 11, 2021 1:38 pm

Two Capitol Police officers with rifles stand in the East Wing Rotunda on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. (Capital-Star photo by Stephen Caruso)

Less than a week after pro-Trump extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol in D.C., state officials have beefed up security at the state Capitol Complex in Harrisburg, increasing the “visible” presence of Capitol Police.

“The administration condemns the senseless acts of violence that occurred last week at our nation’s Capital that resulted in the loss of life,” Troy Thompson, a spokesperson for the Department of General Services told the Capital-Star. “Since that event, Pa. Capitol Police have been working with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of those working in the building and the protection of our state Capitol.”

The Capitol building has been closed to visitors since Dec. 3 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On Friday, after banning President Donald Trump from the platform, Twitter said, “Plans for future armed protests have already begun proliferating on and off-Twitter, including a proposed secondary attack on the US Capitol and state capitol buildings on January 17, 2021,” were a factor in the decision to suspend the account.

The department could not confirm an expiration date for the increased security presence, how many officers would be patrolling the area or whether there have been any threats to the Capitol Complex as of Monday.

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Cassie Miller
Cassie Miller

A native Pennsylvanian, Cassie Miller worked for various publications across the Midstate before joining the team at the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. In her previous roles, she has covered everything from local sports to the financial services industry.

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