After horrific political violence shocked Minnesota, Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher is asking questions and making a push for more security at the Minnesota State Capitol. He explained his concerns during an interview with Alpha News reporter Liz Collin on her Liz Collin Reports podcast.
Sheriff Fletcher is also publicly questioning delays in notification after Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed in their home—after Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot and injured in their home.
“Clearly there was a delay in notifying the potential targets. There was a delay in notifying law enforcement, and we didn’t get a call until seven o’clock in the morning, which is three to four hours after the incidents, the horrific incidents that occurred,” Sheriff Fletcher said.
He continued, stating that he is “trying to identify who is responsible for the lack of notification” along with who should be responsible for making notifications in the future, and how the delays after the recent incidents are “really not acceptable.”
Sheriff Fletcher also questioned how the incidents unfolded and how law enforcement responded. “There’s no reason to explain that hour and a half delay. And I know that some people like to say, ‘didn’t we do a great job?’ The fact of the matter is we would have done a great job if Melissa was alive—and we had an hour and a half to provide some form of security there. And that should be troubling to all of us. And not to mention the fact that it was another three hours before other legislators got notice of the pending threat.”
“Every minute of delay in notifying the legislators puts them at greater risk,” he added.
Capitol security concerns
Last week, Sheriff Fletcher also wrote a letter about security measures at the Minnesota State Capitol to Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
In discussing the letter, Sheriff Fletcher said, “I think it is surprising to the general public that there isn’t security at the Capitol. We began installing security in county courthouses after the attack on 9/11. We were the first county in Minnesota to have security at our courthouse entrances. Nearly every county in Minnesota has followed suit.”
“It’s obvious on its face, people are used to being screened and they have an expectation that when they go inside that screening, they’re going to be safe,” he continued. “So, the capitol is the last facility that really has not adopted some type of screening. We’re not just talking about metal detection … It’s really according to the legislature’s balance between accessibility and safety. But we’re at a stage now where the public would prefer to be safe.”
In highlighting how things have changed—and how security measures must change as well, Sheriff Fletcher added, “We’re foolish if our ‘Minnesota nice’ motto can protect people inside the Capitol. It simply cannot.”
Security and prevention
In discussing how Sheriff Fletcher seems to have been sounding the alarm for quite some time, Collin pointed out, “Unfortunately it seems like your words somehow foreshadowed the tragedies that unfolded just a few weeks ago. I know this is a tough question here but why wasn’t something done back then or why wasn’t something more done back then?”
In response, Sheriff Fletcher explained how he wrote a letter in January to the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security, chaired by Lt. Gov. Flanagan—pointing out the need to improve security.
In his letter, Sheriff Fletcher stated that despite some improvements made at the Capitol, he was still concerned about the security of the legislature and those who access the state office building, the Senate building, and the state Capitol.
The letter went on to point out how “the United States has become more politically polarized than it has been decades.”
Sheriff Fletcher also expressed concern about how “the willingness for certain actors to resort to political violence, threats, and intimidation to those who have different views and beliefs are clearly on the rise.”
His remarks about polarization seemed to speak to politics in general, but also taking action and improving security for legislators themselves.
“I think getting a consensus at the legislature is always very difficult. And with a split House and narrow margin in the Senate, I think there are a lot of different views on this that have a hard time reaching a consensus. But frankly, that is why this committee, and the lieutenant governor, have to show some leadership,” Fletcher said with regard to improving security measures.
Sheriff Fletcher also explained one critical security measure involves screening large personal bags and backpacks.
“There shouldn’t be controversy on the general public being screened with large bags. And I would say the general public in general, because technology allows us to do that very, very quickly … So, would it be a little costly? Yes. Is it going to be worth it? Absolutely,” he continued.
In discussing some of the details, Sheriff Fletcher said that Gov. Tim Walz, the public safety commissioner, and others are now more interested in improving security. He also pointed out the fact that whether they’re in the Capitol, at public events, or elsewhere, legislators themselves must ultimately determine the security measures they want—and how they want to protect themselves.
Dr. JC Chaix
Dr. JC Chaix is an editor, educator, and an expert in media studies. He wrote and directed the Alpha News documentary "The Fall of Minneapolis" and "Minnesota v We the People."
