(Source: MIRS.news, Published 05/01/23) The Michigan Capitol Facilities Office began soliciting bids Friday for providers equipped to install concealed weapon detection sensors and firearm-recognizing software throughout the state Capitol.
"A lot of the vendors we've had discussions with are already aware of this going out, so I imagine as soon as we post it this afternoon, I'll start seeing numbers coming in next week," said Robert Blackshaw, the executive director of the Michigan State Capitol Commission. "I do know there's initial equipment costs, but then there's the maintenance costs, there's licensing fees . . . so there are some ongoing costs. I don't think those are as great as the initial equipment costs."
Friday, Blackshaw presented a slate of recommendations to the Michigan State Capitol Commission (MSCC) in relation to firearm detection for the historical building.
Bill Kandler – chair of the MSCC and the previous legislative liaison to former Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm – has made developing a gun ban policy for the Capitol a principal priority this year. Although a policy proposal is still being worked on, the commission unanimously approved granting Blackshaw the clearance to start gathering price-tags from security equipment and software vendors.
Blackshaw's suggestions included:
- On the ground floor entrance of the Capitol's east wing, which is known as the building's main entrance, a pass-through weapons detection system would be installed. A Senate or House sergeant, a Michigan State Police (MSP) officer or another qualified security person would be nearby to take an individual into one of the previous tour guide orientation rooms if they require a secondary inspection.
- On the ground floor entrance of the Capitol's south wing – which is used by mostly Senators and Senate staff with the required swipe card – a pass-through weapons detection system will be put in place. A Senate sergeant would be provided with a security wand metal detector if a secondary inspection is necessary.
- On the ground floor's north wing entrance, which is used mostly by House members and their staffers through swipe cards, there will be a pass-through weapons detection system "right inside the main double doors," according to Blackshaw. A House sergeant will be situated by the entrance with a wand for secondary inspection if needed.
- A pass-through weapons detection system will be incorporated into the Capitol's Heritage Hall entrance, with an additional X-Ray machine put in place for secondary inspections.
- The north annex entrance, which is typically used by contractors and caterers, will have a standard magnetometer installed for individuals to walk through while their bags are being hand-inspected.
Moreover, Blackshaw mentioned "human verified protective gun detection situational awareness software" that can be integrated into the Capitol's pre-existing digital security cameras.
He told the media he's currently considering ZeroEyes, an artificial intelligence company distributing services to Oxford High School in Oakland County. The school district ramped up its security measures following a fatal shooting in late November 2021 that resulted in the deaths of four students.
While visiting Oxford High School's security team ahead of making his recommendations, Blackshaw witnessed an officer demonstration. He explained that the security professional pulled a weapon out of his car and kept it close to his vest, and the camera system picked it up and alerted the team's desk.
"We knew before this person came to the door what was going to happen. He came in and then they went through their procedures of what it was like to walk through a weapons detection system," he said. "I don't want to editorialize anything, but when you see it happen at Oxford Schools, and something real happened there . . . it was nice to see they have such a good plan in place."
ZeroEyes specifically operates by taking live images of anything possessing the shape of a firearm and submitting photos to their professionals to determine if there is a threat at-hand.
In Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's executive proposal for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget, her office suggested dedicating $5 million to advancing Capitol security. Kandler said he's been talking to a lot of legislators as they participate in the budget-making process, advising them to "let's get it going."
Kandler clarified he wants the Capitol Facilities Office to be able to secure equipment for firearm detection before his commission moves forward with enacting a gun ban.
"I'm very concerned about putting a policy into effect that you can't enforce," he said, adding that the bidding process brings forward "the best technology, the best concept, the best idea…again, that will be effective in detecting what we're looking for, and secondly, that will be the least intrusive to both the historic fabric of the building and least intrusive to the public."
In connection to Blackshaw's recommendations alone, it is projected that 10 MSP officers and 10 new Senate sergeants will be added, with the House expected to follow suit if the suggestions are implemented.
