“The recent events in our nation’s Capitol building and in our own government palace illustrate the need for the police to be prepared and staffed for any big meeting,” said Terri Davie, Oregon State Police superintendent, in a statement. communicated.
The National Guard was also assisting in state capitals in Michigan and Wisconsin.
The police presence intensified at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, with California Highway Patrol officers standing by and outside the entrances, and with patrol cars parked on the site, blocking passages. The FBI has set up a joint command post with local authorities in Sacramento, and members of the state, federal and local police have been meeting daily.
Even though Los Angeles officers did not receive any specific threats, the Los Angeles Police Department chief ordered all officers, about 10,000 people, to wear uniforms every day before their inauguration, so that they are ready to be seconded. any time notice. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department adjusted staffing levels in anticipation of protest activity.
Part of the challenge for law enforcement agencies that collect intelligence was to eliminate “aspirational” comments, said Miami-based chief Colina. On the call on Wednesday, the FBI acknowledged the discomfort felt across the country after the attack on the United States Capitol, he said.
“It kind of rocked everyone, you know, to see what happened on the Capitol. It gives them a terrible feeling of unease and, therefore, they are concerned about it, “he said, adding:” They are concerned about the ‘Are we safe here in this country?’ “
John Eligon reported from Kansas City, Frances Robles from Miami and Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Helene Cooper from Washington. Contributed by Adam Goldman, from Washington; Mike Baker from Seattle; Shawn Hubler from Sacramento, Simon Romero from Albuquerque; Richard Fausset in Atlanta; Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio in New York; Julie Bosman in Chicago and Tim Arango and Manny Fernandez in Los Angeles.