Quiet start to Inauguration Day in Olympia as added security remains
Jan 18, 2021, 7:28 AM | Updated: Jan 20, 2021, 8:21 am
With all 50 states fielding warnings from the FBI over possible violence at Capitol buildings, Washington’s own added security remains in place on Inauguration Day.
State patrol, National Guard set up extra security in Olympia
Washington State Patrol and the state’s National Guard have been out in force at the Capitol building in Olympia ever since the start of the 2021 legislative session last week. That’s included newly-installed fencing surrounding the area, a checkpoint manned by security, and hundreds of National Guardsmen and state troopers.
This all comes in the wake of the violent Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol, which left five people dead — including one Capitol police officer. Despite concerns that something similar might occur in Olympia, things have been relatively quiet in the days since, short of two arrests made at the Capitol last week for failing to comply with a lawful order after attempting to enter the restricted area.
One of the two people arrested last week was also determined to have been one of the people that breached a gate at the governor’s mansion on Jan. 6.
Lawmakers, protesters prepare for legislative session in Olympia
Few — if any — other incidents have been reported in the days since, with protest presence in Olympia remaining light. KIRO Radio’s Hanna Scott reports that “all is quiet” at the Capitol building in Olympia as of early Wednesday morning.
On this historic Inauguration Day amid the heightened security across the U.S. all is quiet at the WA state Capitol Very quiet yesterday. This morning no sign of anybody except @wastatepatrol , Media & the large number of @WANationalGuard staying at my hotel. @KIRORadio pic.twitter.com/KcurJYt3KG
— Hanna Scott (@HannaKIROFM) January 20, 2021
Even so, state troopers and National Guardsmen say they “remain vigilant.”
“We remain in an elevated preparedness status as the lack of specific threat does not preclude the presence of possible danger,” WSP Communications Director Chris Loftis noted.
An additional 400 Washington state National Guard soldiers and airmen were also sent to Washington, D.C. for Wednesday’s presidential inauguration.
They are joined by more than 20,000 other troops and police from across the country, asked with protecting the U.S. Capitol and supporting federal partners in “a number of different roles as determined by the lead agency,” according to a tweet.
