Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, August 14, 2015
(STATEHOUSE) - Governor Pence says a proposal to tighten security at the statehouse stems from conversations with legislators and federal homeland security officials.
The administration wants to spend $873,000 to replace electronic swipe cards for statehouse employees with turnstiles, to prevent interlopers from slipping in while the door is open.
Pence says the amount up for discussion before the State Budget Committee reflects not the final amount, but the total funding set aside for security at government buildings in the new state budget.
The Department of Administration says the funding request is based on a cost estimate from a 2010 review of statehouse security, adjusted slightly for inflation. Then-Governor Mitch Daniels opted against turnstiles at that time in favor of the swipe cards, with visitors without a badge required to pass through metal detectors.
Earlier this year, the administration posted state troopers at all access points without metal detectors, to watch for people slipping in behind badgeholders. The turnstiles would prevent that from happening.
Pence says the upgrade is a response to comments from legislators and the federal Department of Homeland Security, but says he fully supports the move.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.