Wesley Muller/Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana lawmakers are moving forward with plans to hire a leader for a new Capitol police force , who will hire more than 20 officers to provide security at state buildings in the vicinity.
While most agree security improvements are needed at the Capitol, the launch of a new law enforcement agency provides reason for state leaders to reflect on what their roles are in mitigating risk — and in some instances, what they might be doing to provoke it.
Last month, the Brennan Center for Justice released a research report that examines the increase in politically fueled threats and violence at all levels of government. Authors from the progressive organization noted the trend is bipartisan, with Democrats and Republicans both contributing to the corrosive climate.
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For its report, the Brennan Center drilled down to measure discord and danger at the local level. Authors conducted surveys last fall of state legislators and local office holders, supplementing their data with three dozen in-depth interviews. Responses came from 1,700 officials in all 50 states, representing a range of ages, racial and ethnic identities, party affiliations, ideologies, genders, sexual orientations and religions.