Maximum Security at Capitol In Anticipation of Possible Riots as the Legislative Session Unfolds

The first 2021 legislative session is underway at the state Capitol in Olympia and security has been enhanced to avoid any copycat behavior from last Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol.

Governor Jay Inslee activated 750 National Guard members and Washington State Patrol trooper resources have been called in from around the state. Cyclone fences, 8 ft. high, are also in place around the perimeter.

"There was an extraordinarily robust presence of law enforcement and military on campus today [Monday]," said Chris Loftis, Washington State Patrol communications director. "There have been credible threats from folks saying that are going to disrupt the proceedings of the day."

Loftis added, law enforcement will not allow what happened last Wednesday's at both at the U.S. Capitol and the Governor's Mansion.

"We're not going to allow the people who work in government, the buildings of our government and the monuments that represent our history and the process of government be intruded by those, who for some reason, decided their point of view is the only point of view that is rightfully upheld," said Loftis.