Release: State Capitol to Implement New Safety Measures

State Capitol to Implement New Safety Measures

PIERRE, S.D. – Secretary Craig Price and the Department of Public Safety today announced that a new safety measure designed to keep South Dakota’s state Capitol building safe and accessible to the public will begin this fall.

A security screening room will be constructed near the Capitol’s north entrance and located in office space currently occupied by the Bureau of Human Resources Classifications Division. Those employees have relocated to another space in preparation of the project.

“This is a proactive step in working to protect the Capitol and those who use it,” said Price. “We have designed the screening process to be the least intrusive as possible and allow people to go about their Capitol business. These improvements will enhance public safety while preserving the accessibility of the statehouse.”

“Our State Capitol is the people’s house and this project ensures everyone who visits the building has a safe, positive experience while enjoying its historic beauty,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Safety is always our top priority, and this modernized approach to Capitol security will help us best serve the hundreds of kids and thousands of visitors who visit the Capitol every year.”

Once the security screening room is completed, visitors will enter through the north doors and be directed into the screening room. Signage will help direct visitors what to do and inform them of what items are not allowed in the Capitol. This information is also available online here.

More information on the security screening process will be announced later.

13 thoughts on “Release: State Capitol to Implement New Safety Measures”

  1. It has been a long time coming and anyone without anything to hide should openly embrace the change as a good public safety measure. High tech cameras surveying all other doors necessary measures included.

  2. “Safety is always our top priority…” Typical woman.

    Freedom is always our top priority… Typical man.

    And for those about to loose it, I’m all for the extra security measures… I am a woman.

    Happy Halloween!!

  3. Seems like overkill for an antique building on the prairie in the middle of nowhere that very few people visit each year.

  4. I’m still annoyed our esteemed who believes more guns will protect us refuses to let them in her office. She must not want maximum safety.

    1. She has an armed guard. You don’t need people to have guns for self defense when you have an armed guard.

      1. But imagine how much safer she would be with people able to carry guns into her office. The capital has armed guards across the whole building so that argument is invalid.

        The fact of the matter is she is a hypocrite who does not believe in my constitutional right.

        1. I am trying to imagine how by having someone who the governor does not know being armed makes it safer than having an armed bodyguard in her office. You have a constitutional right to bear arms, but if you are one of those people who goes off half cocked, if I was the governor, I probably would not feel safe with you and your gun in my office.

          1. Firstly having spent decades serving this country in active duty and in the reserves I’m confident in my ability to safely handle a gun and use it when need for my own protection as well as the protection of those around me.

            Secondly my argument is solely that Governor Noem is a hypocrite when it comes to the right for South Dakota Citizens to have their firearms. The Capital is protected campus-wide by armed guards. During the session they are all over the building. If it’s good for the legislatures who truly support the second amendment then it should be good enough for Governor Noem.

  5. Kind of too bad but this probably should have happened a long time ago. I’d hate to see something terrible happen and then we all wish we had done it.

  6. So metal detectors and bag searches?
    Guess I’ll have to be early for events.
    Please allow an extra 5 minutes to enter they say.
    Boo!

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