Troopers review Capitol security measures

Troopers were added for extra security at the Capitol before Thursday's May Day rally, when demonstrators charged toward the governor's office and prompted a lockdown of the building.

But the Washington State Patrol wants to do more to control future rallies, said Sgt. Ted DeHart.

"We erred on the side of their rights to demonstrate and let them have their space, being assured they would police their own," he said. "We'll be taking precautions (in the future) to make sure their demonstration is as their permit says, on the Capitol steps."

The Capitol is state property. Olympia Police Cmdr. Tor Bjornstad said that in the city, organizations do not have to get permits to hold rallies or parades, but the city does like to get information about routes and other potential logistical needs in advance.

"The city essentially asks people to work with the city when they're having some sort of event," Bjornstad said.

An organizer of Thursday's rally said Friday that he did just that, sharing a planned parade route with the Olympia Police Department.

The patrol had 11 officers on hand Thursday, up from a typical four to seven, DeHart said.

The loose-knit group of activists at the Capitol on Thursday had a permit from the state to rally on the steps, as well as stage a fair in Sylvester Park downtown.

But protesters left the steps as a group to demand a meeting with Gov. Chris Gregoire.

While the crowd was inside the Capitol, troopers and legislative security staff locked employees inside their offices and secluded a 425-student YMCA Youth Legislature group in the House chamber.

Protesters departed after meeting with representatives of the governor, but left graffiti on the historic building's marble and sandstone walls.

It was unclear who defaced the building, and the patrol did not issue any citations.

The terms of the rally permit include requirements not to damage state property or interrupt state business, but it is not clear whether the person who applied for it was involved in the commotion outside the governor's office, said Steve Valandra, a spokesman for the Department of General Administration, which issues the permits.

To help prevent similar situations, DeHart said, the patrol is considering new requirements, such as having event leaders identify themselves clearly with vests or armbands, requiring groups to schedule visits with elected officials ahead of time, and asking for damage deposits. "Those are all in their infancy stages right now," he added.

The cost of cleanup materials was minimal, but cleanup did require significant labor time, Valandra said.