about security Recent incidents of assault and attempts to attack members of Congress and their staff have raised concerns about the security measures in place.
The U.S. Capitol Police discovered a razor in the vicinity, but the person they believe to be the attacker was not found. According to Representative Mike Carey, three female employees of his office, who were on a three-block walk to a coffee shop in Capitol Hill in September, were approached by a man who lunged at them with a razor and threatened to attack. Luckily, the women were not harmed but were quite shaken by the encounter, as reported by a spokesperson from the office.
There has been a recent increase in attacks and crimes against congressional staffers and lawmakers outside of the Capitol complex since the start of 2023. Court records and police reports, as reviewed by CBS News, show that some of these incidents were violent.
In response to worries over recent news, the House Committee on Administration summoned Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger to speak on Thursday regarding potential safety threats for those working at the Capitol complex. Manger shared that he is implementing new measures to safeguard the many individuals who work on Capitol Hill, both near the complex and in their respective district offices.
A member of the Senate’s staff was injured in a stabbing incident near a restaurant in Northeast Washington D.C., a few blocks from the Capitol. Police have apprehended Glynn Neal, a resident of Washington D.C., in connection with the attack. According to legal documents examined by CBS News, Neal’s criminal trial is on pause as he undergoes mental health evaluations.
A man from Washington D.C. assaulted and tried to ensnare a member of the Democratic party weeks before.Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota in the elevator of Craig’s Capitol Hill apartment complex.
Craig managed to get away by using hot coffee to distract Kendrid Hamlin and quickly exiting the elevator at the next floor. Hamlin admitted his guilt and is currently serving a 27-month jail term for the incident. He has a history of numerous past criminal acts.
The supervisor mentioned that his department is “adapting” in order to handle any potential dangers that occur outside of the Capitol premises.
He emphasized that his top priority is ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones. Manger also mentioned that there has been a rise in threats against members of Congress in their hometowns and states. Additionally, he acknowledged that even family members have been specifically targeted, citing incidents from 2022.
Paul Pelosi’s attack/incident/assault
, married to the ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Manger told the committee that the Capitol Police have begun to construct a “protective intelligence operations center,” which he said would serve as a command center for the protective units serving members of Congress. Among the missions of the unit is providing security measures at their homes, “residential security monitoring for protectees,” Manger said.
Recent attacks in Washington D.C. have raised concerns among lawmakers, even though they do not necessarily reflect any particular failures on the part of law enforcement.
Representative Stephanie Bice, a member of the Republican party representing Oklahoma, stated to CBS News, “My hope is to encourage young individuals to aspire to work in the nation’s capital. I want them to have the opportunity to gain valuable experience. However, if their families have concerns about their safety, it may discourage them from pursuing this path.”
Members of Congress are already facing a rising number of threats, many of which are politically motivated. U.S. Capitol Police reports show more than 8,000 threat investigations in 2023, hundreds more than in 2022 and thousands more than nearly a decade ago. Capitol security officials have responded with a number of new initiatives, including issuing satellite phones to senators and providing police protection during some air travel.
Manger informed the committee that the department’s previous method of enforcing laws is now outdated for the present situation. The previous focus on defending individual members has been substituted with the priority of safeguarding both their surroundings and families.
On Thursday, leaders of Congress unveiled a proposal to allocate funds for the U.S. Capitol Police in the upcoming months. The department has been actively seeking financial support in order to hire additional officers and address vacancy issues. A representative from the agency informed CBS News that they have high hopes that the proposed funding will allow them to increase staff, improve their intelligence resources to match evolving technology, and update their department with state-of-the-art security measures to better protect Members on Capitol Hill and in their respective districts.
The Capitol complex is unique compared to other federal facilities because it is not enclosed by walls or permanent fencing. Instead, it is situated amongst businesses and residential neighborhoods, allowing for driving and public parking. Manger stated, “We oversee a campus that is entirely accessible. The public has the right to visit, demonstrate, and make requests to their Representatives on Capitol property.” In the past few months, authorities apprehended an individual believed to be in possession of a powerful firearm near the US Senate office buildings.
In numerous incidents of assault and aggression, both congressional employees and members have been singled out off campus, where the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police (MPD) holds authority. During the House hearing on Thursday, a representative from the D.C. police union expressed concern over the department’s difficulties in maintaining appropriate levels of staff. President Gregg Pemberton stated, “The MPD has a current total of 500 unfilled positions for sworn officers, and our chief of police has stated that it will take more than ten years to fill them.”
In recent incidents, there have been attacks on members and staff of Congress that were promptly looked into and resulted in arrests, such as the assault on Craig.
According to a statement provided to CBS News, the Metropolitan Police of Washington D.C. emphasized their ongoing efforts to reduce crime and safeguard both citizens and visitors in all areas of the District of Columbia. The MPD collaborates closely with federal law enforcement to maintain security not just in Capitol Hill, but also in the adjacent communities.
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In a statement, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, a representative for Washington D.C. in the House, argued that Republican assertions of increased danger were unfounded and criticized the committee hearing as fear-mongering.
Norton stated that in D.C., crime rates are declining in various areas. It is paradoxical that non-D.C. Republicans are misusing their undemocratic authority in a House Administration Committee hearing with outdated data, which does not contribute to any legislative goals.
However, several members of the House, who have been interviewed by CBS News, have shared their worries about how crime in the area could affect the safety and well-being of staff, visitors, and potential Congressional employees. New York Representative Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican with experience in law enforcement, addressed CBS News, stating that the ongoing issue of crime in Washington, D.C. has a detrimental effect on all those who reside, work, or visit our nation’s capital.
Scott MacFarlane
Source: cbsnews.com