Orange County Register - O.C. Congressman Discusses Security Dangers
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Rep. John Campbell, R-Irvine, says that every congress member he's talked to about the issue has received threats from the public at one time or another, and offered his view of security concerns in the wake of Saturday's shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords during a public event in Tucson.
Campbell calls the Capitol Police's protection "excellent and unmatched."
"We do not need similar full-time security when we are home," Campbell writes in his weekly newsletter. "Nor, frankly, do I want it or would I accept it. But, we can use local law enforcement for better protection when the circumstances warrant it."
Campbell describes coffee shop events he's held where law enforcement was called.
"At one of these, a couple of groups started shouting very incendiary remarks which incited a rapid and emotional response from everyday people in the crowd. We were concerned that violence could have erupted, so we had the police come and separate out the offending groups."
"At another .. we were required to have a substantial police presence as several groups, again, attempted to disrupt civil conversation. During the interruption, other unstable individuals created a safety concern for the law enforcement officers who were present."
"I tell you this not to alarm you or to make any political judgments. I merely wish to make the point that more security is necessary to protect the public as well as Members of Congress at advertised public events at home. "
"As Members of Congress, we need to have contact with you to do our jobs. We should keep doing that, while sensibly minimizing the risks."
Campbell also offers his positive impressions of Giffords and prays for her recovery, discourages use of the tragedy in political debate.
"There has been much hand-wringing over the nature of political discourse in this country as a result of this heinous crime. Those discussions are at best premature and perhaps inappropriate. At the time of this writing, the person who has been charged with this crime appears not to have had any particular political motivation other than derangement."
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