UPDATED Wednesday, September 12, 2012 --- 8:00 a.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Hundreds of security buttons have been installed around the state Capitol as the new police chief steps up efforts to improve a sense of safety in the statehouse.
Department of Administration officials say 482 buttons have been installed in offices around the Capitol. DOA spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis says the wireless buttons will send an alert to Capitol police who will respond immediately.
Protesters have routinely congregated in the Capitol to sing songs, hold banners and display signs that are generally in opposition to Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans. Chief David Erwin recently told The Associated Press that he respects the right to demonstrate, but believes some protesters' behavior has crossed into intimidation.
Marquis tells the State Journal (http://tinyurl.com/8jvg8lz ) the button installation cost about $103,000.
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Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.madison.com/wsj
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
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UPDATED: Wednesday, September, 11, 2012 --- 11:08 p.m.
Capitol Police Chief Dave Erwin says the department has issued nine citations this week to protesters for permit and poster violations.
Solidarity Singers have been gathering at at the capitol nearly every day for more than a year. In that time, other organizations have been granted hundreds of use permits, while police say the group has never applied. Approval is legally required for groups of more than four people gathering.
"They never enforce those rules so I think most people are under the impression that those rules aren't applicable," said Singer Barndon Barwick.
"We walked up to people, we asked them to remove their banners, and they declined," said Chief Erwin. "They kind of left us no choice and once things settled down we issued a citation and delivered them."
This week the Capitol Police delivered several of the citations to places of work and homes. They say the move was to avoid altercations.
With a major election coming up in November, and the possibility of more protests in the coming months, Erwin says he will treat all groups equally in the increased enforcement of laws.
Some singers also noticed police beginning to film their gatherings with handheld video cameras. Erwin says they are documenting the sessions for liability reasons. A group of lawyers has already volunteered to represent those cited.
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Posted Tuesday, September 11, 2012 --- 11:08 a.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Capitol police have issued seven citations following protests at the state Capitol on Monday.
Unlike last week, when 12 citations were issued to people at the Capitol, the ones one Monday were served at the ticketed people's home addresses.
Department of Administration spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis says three people were ticketed both for unlawful display of a sign and not having a permit. One person was ticketed solely for not having a permit.
Marquis said Tuesday the citations were served at their homes to "avoid confrontation and maintain order at the Capitol."
Protesters have routinely congregated in the Capitol to sing songs, hold banners and display signs that are generally in opposition to Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
