Wisconsin: Security theater at the Wisconsin Capitol: 482 panic buttons installed
Coverage thanks to Blue Cheddar.
“Security theater” is a term that describes security countermeasures intended to provide the feeling of improved security while doing little or nothing to actually improve security. – urban dictionary
In the case of Wisconsin’s Capitol building, perhaps a different sort of security theater is behind the recent installation of 482 panic buttons. Maybe Wisconsin’s panicky protections are designed to create an inflated fear of the people who come in the Capitol at lunch time to hold signs and sing songs.*
From the Wisconsin State Journal: “The Department of Administration confirmed Tuesday that it installed 482 panic buttons in offices around the statehouse, in an effort to provide a level of comfort for staffers who they say have felt harassed by the presence of protesters in the historic building. The wireless buttons send an alert to Capitol police, who will respond immediately, DOA Spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said. “(Staffers) have basically been told to press it anytime they feel threatened,” she said.”
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There were no panic buttons available on the evening of March 9, 2011 when Wisconsin’s GOP state senators passed Wisconsin Act 10 and broke the state. Darn if people weren’t mad and WOW but didn’t the WI GOP have to scamper in the rain to a city bus – which they commandeered. I’m not going to even bring up people flowing back into the Capitol in anger.Da
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*Note to journalists: They are often referred to as “protesters” in your articles. I often choose to call them “Wisconsinites”, “citizens”, or “people” now because the right wing considers a “protester” to be a nearly non-human. Seems like the right has little value for constitutionally protected dissent when they’re not the ones doing it.
How terrifying it must be for our Republican legislators to know that they could come in contact with a citizen.
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