New Capitol Security Strategy Means New Hires

Ten people are being hired to staff two new security entrances to the state Capitol. The Division of Protective Services will initially hire five Capitol Police officers at $30,000 a year each and five part-time screeners at $15 an hour. That was part of the initial proposal to have one public entrance open year-round and another open only during legislative sessions. The plan has been revised to keep both entrances open year-round. Lawrence Messina of the Department of Public Safety and Military Affairs says that means the part-time screeners eventually will be replaced with, or promoted to, full-time officers. The new security measures begin Friday. Messina says the annual cost of operating the security entrances will be $732,000.