October 17, 2001 IS NEBRASKA STATE CAPITOL SECURITY TOO LAX? Report finds Nebraska needs to step up Capitol security. by Jim D. Berryman, Content Editor My how times are changing. I was in Lincoln the day before the September 11th tragedies on the east coast, still in town after the Notre Dame weekend. I decided to go to the State Capitol to get some photos for future use on MissingNebraska.com, and to check out the renovation going on both inside and outside the building. I entered through the east entrance off 14th Street. There were no metal detectors to walk through, no one even standing at the door. Once inside, I walked toward the center of the building, and passed numerous offices of state senators. Each office door was open and most were ajar. I could see into most of them and noticed office workers going about their daily business. The openness struck me as a bit odd. I’ve lived on the east coast for 6 years, where security in most places is more stringent than in Nebraska, even pre-September 11. After the surprise of the openness faded, I got a feeling of being welcome…that the state senators were accessible. But it made me worry too. And, like I said, it was September 10th, a day before all the madness started. I made a mental note to myself that it seemed a little too easy to get in, but it also made me feel good for the state of Nebraska, that the security-laden east coast standards had not made their way to the Cornhusker state just yet. But, that’s all about to change. At least if a new report given to Governor Mike Johanns is any indication. It has a number of recommendations to improve capitol security. Full story from Grand Island Independent. More Nebraska News