Safety practices under review in wake of threat

DES MOINES - Lawmakers and Capitol officials “messed up” in responding to a death threat against a legislator and his clerk earlier this month, prompting an ongoing review of safety procedures at the Statehouse.

“We did not do a good job,” said House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, who played a central role in responding when a legislative clerk opened an envelope containing a death threat and an unknown white powder. “We messed up.”

A better job should have been done of containing the situation, Paulsen said. He's received an initial “after-action” report from Post 16 of the Iowa State Patrol, which provides security at the Capitol, and also plans an ongoing review of Capitol security after the current session ends.

“We want to analyze what needs to change,” Paulsen said, adding that he's unwilling to limit Iowans' access to the Capitol.

“It's always a balancing act between access to the building and the safety of the people who work here,” agreed Chief Clerk of the House Charlie Smithson.

There have been no arrests stemming from the April 3 incident that began when Michael Dekota McRae, a clerk for Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, opened an envelope containing white powder and a racially charged letter threatening them. The Capitol was locked down for about four hours. A hazardous materials team determined that the powder, which smelled like laundry detergent, was not dangerous. Further tests determined it was an antacid, according to Patrol Capt. Mark Logsdon.

Abdul-Samad has varied his routines since the incident and takes added precautions when opening mail.

“I don't open anything without a postmark on it,” he said this week.