Patrol Wants Increased Security to Remain in North Dakota Capitol

The North Dakota Highway Patrol wants to keep security measures the same following protests of the Dakota Access pipeline.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Sep 17, 2018

The North Dakota Highway Patrol is asking to keep enhanced security measures that were put in place at the capitol two years ago due to the protests of the Dakota Access pipeline.

Capt. Jody Skogen told a legislative panel the enhanced security measures that include metal detectors and more troopers patrolling the Capitol and outside the governor's office have proven "effective and unobtrusive."

Skogen said up to 1,000 visitors daily pass through the security checkpoint at the Capitol when lawmakers are in session. Some weapons have been discovered at the checkpoint thanks to the security measures.

The appeal by the Highway Patrol, which always has been assigned to provide security for the governor and the Capitol, comes as some lawmakers questioned the need for the increased measures after protests endedi n North Dakota for the four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline.

Republican House Majority Leader Al Carlson, who heads the committee that includes GOP and Democratic floor leaders, said he doesn't like the increased security, but signaled lawmakers would keep it in place.

"We're not in the day and age we were before," Carlson said.