NYS lawmakers discuss changes to security protocols

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – State lawmakers could see changes to security protocols, after that alarming killing of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. Legislators and security officials discussed new security measures for their families and staff.

At this time there are no credible threats, according to Governor Kathy Hochul’s office. A spokesperson released a statement that read:

 “Governor Hochul’s top priority is the safety of all New Yorkers, and our Administration takes threats of targeted violence seriously. While there are no known credible threats to New York State, Governor Hochul directed the State Police to increase their presence at the State Capitol and to increase monitoring for any threats directed at government officials. The State Police, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and our local law enforcement partners continue the heightened attention to the unprecedented levels of and rise in threats to government officials over the last couple of years.”

After the tragedy, Hochul was on a call with New York State Police, Homeland Security and state lawmakers discussing a more thorough review of security protocols at the capitol and recommended safety measures to take at home.

The killing of Melissa and Mark Hortman exacerbated safety concerns for politicians across the nation. New York State elected officials reacted to the news.

“When we saw it, it honestly…it just…It knocks the air out of you, it does. It just takes the wind out of you,” said New York State Senator Patricia Fahy (D–46th District).

“I was absolutely shocked by it. Any sort of political assassination is completely un-American and it needs to be punished as a crime of the worst kind,” said New York State Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R–District 118).

“Iit was shocking. Somebody’s home in the middle of the night. They’re waking up thinking something is going wrong, reality somebody was trying to kill them and they did,” said New York State Assemblyman John McDonald (D--District 108).

All three politicians said they’ve all received threats in different forms, including a home invasion at Smullen’s home in 2021. They described that recent call with state leaders.

“They said, listen, unfortunately people are doing these things. They're masquerading as law-enforcement, which is insulting to the brave men and women who do the job,” said McDonald.

Officials recommended elected officials do not make their daily schedules public, toning down the political rhetoric and…

“The ring cameras for members at their homes, for those who don’t have them. More cameras in general at homes. More of a centralized database such that law-enforcement is coordinated and know what cars, what vehicles members have, where they live, where their district offices are,” said Fahy.

“I’m not changing any of my behavior in the face of political intimidation and political terrorism, you know whatever is out there. We need to exercise our rights to make our voice heard in Albany and I'm certainly willing to do that, as well as protect myself if necessary,” said Smullen.

Fahy believes the extremism is fueled by those who are radicalized online.  “There is this horrible divisiveness, we know, on social media. The algorithms kind of reinforce one’s leanings and the media they’re fed and the articles they’re fed,” said Fahy.

She and Smullen both said it’s very important to exercise free speech in our political discourse.

“Politicians, when they’re silenced – in this case through a cold-blooded murder – it’s a very bad thing,” said Smullen.