FOR IMMEDIATE
DISTRIBUTION PRESS RELEASE
January 11, 2018
Media and
Communications Office
New
Measures Implemented to Enhance Safety at Texas Capitol
Certain
items prohibited on Capitol Grounds
AUSTIN – The
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is implementing certain security
measures at the Texas Capitol Complex and Capitol Grounds to enhance safety.
These measures are aimed at preventing violent confrontations during protests
and demonstrations; maintaining order; and protecting all Capitol visitors from
injury or infringement of constitutional rights.
It has been observed that some
individuals or groups seek violent confrontations during protests and equip
themselves for physical combat. To ensure the safety and security of the
general public and those who seek to exercise their right to peacefully assemble
and protest, effective immediately, certain items may be prohibited from
the Capitol Grounds unless worn or carried by a licensed peace officer.
Any item manifestly designed, made, or
adapted for the purpose of preparing a person to engage in physical combat may
be prohibited, including but not limited to:
- Firearms and other deadly
weapons, except when authorized under License to Carry authority
- Improvised items used to lock a
person to another person or object
- Plastic bottles containing
alcohol or non-consumable substances
- Open flame torches
- Metal signs
- Metal, plastic, and wood
objects longer than 12 inches
- Sticks or other objects with
protruding nails
- Balloons not filled with air,
oxygen or helium
- Bricks, stones or rocks
- Projectile launchers, including
water cannons
- Spray paint cans
- Gas masks or similar equipment
- Glass bottles
- Hammers
- Crow bars
- Toxic fluid, gas or solids in
any container
- Improvised shields
- Helmets
- Drones
- Pepper spray
- Tasers
Additionally, citizens have a right to
counter protest, but within the Capitol Complex, they must do so at a distance
sufficient to avoid physical altercations.
As is standard practice, DPS law
enforcement officers will maintain enforcement discretion related to these new measures
and may determine whether a reasonable public safety threat
exists on a case by case basis.
By statute, DPS has the authority and
primary responsibility for law enforcement and security services over the
Capitol Complex, which includes the Capitol Grounds.
### (HQ
2018-003)
