Kasich reiterates support for more security

May 6, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Gov. John Kasich reiterated his support Thursday for increased security at the Ohio Statehouse and other state offices, including the addition of metal detectors.

“The one thing that I’ve wanted for a long time is ... metal detectors in the Statehouse,” the governor told reporters. “I’ve been concerned about not having some limited security that provides for the public’s ability to get in there. But I just think we need some advanced security in all of our buildings.”

Kasich made the comments in response to a question about whether the state had increased security after the death of Osama bin Laden earlier this week. The al-Qaida leader was killed by Navy SEALs in a covert military strike in Pakistan.

Kasich said he was unaware of any actions by state public-safety officials but added that he thought there should be more security at state offices in downtown Columbus.

“We don’t want something to happen in the Statehouse,” the governor said. “We have families and kids and school groups. I think it’s right to keep it open, not to make it a big deal but to make sure that we have better security here.”

Gregg Dodd, spokesman for the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, wrote in an email message that Statehouse officials are aware of the governor’s interest in installing metal detectors.

The State Highway Patrol has a post in the building, and law enforcement regularly patrols the hallways.

“At anytime, CSRAB is prepared to work with the Department of Public Safety and the Ohio Highway Patrol to implement heightened security measures in a moment’s notice,” Dodd wrote. “Heightened security measures do include [but are not limited to] portable magnetometers, hand-held wand metal detectors and portable X-ray machines. [The] majority of this equipment is kept in working condition and is stored on Capitol Square.”

He added, “The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board works very hard to ensure access to the nearly 500,000 visitors who visit the Ohio Statehouse each year. Nearly 90,000 of those visitors are students. High-level security measures are currently in place at the Ohio Statehouse.”