Out of Abundance of Warning, Governor Mills Activates Maine National Guard Places Them on Standby to Support Legislation Enforcement If Required

Governor Janet Mills declared today that she has activated the Maine National Guard and placed them on standby status to assist legislation enforcement, if wanted, in advance of potential occasions at the Condition Capitol heading into this weekend and future week. The Governor activated the Guard out of an abundance of warning to guarantee that Guard users are prepared and accessible to support regulation enforcement, if it is established their assist is required.

As of now, the Section of General public Safety, as a consequence of countrywide experiences, is especially tracking and planning for any probable situations in Augusta on Sunday, January 17th via Wednesday, January 20th, the date of the Inauguration. At this point, there is no credible evidence to advise any possible basic safety or stability threats.

“There is no credible proof at the instant to propose that any protests that may possibly occur in Augusta will be anything other than peaceful. But based mostly on what we observed past 7 days at the U.S. Capitol, and like a lot of of my fellow governors throughout the place, I am activating the National Guard out of an abundance of caution. Accomplishing so allows them to be all set to act in the event their assist is essential,” explained Governor Janet Mills. “I entirely regard the suitable of all Maine men and women to talk their minds in a tranquil and lawful method, and I hope – and be expecting – that will be the circumstance in the coming times, just as it has been in the earlier here in Maine.”

The Maine Division of Public Basic safety, by means of the Maine Point out Police and its Maine Facts Assessment Center (MIAC), proceeds to keep track of intelligence and receive and examine any suitable and credible facts from the public and Federal associates in order to manage situational awareness and strategy for prospective gatherings in Maine.

“The Office of Public Safety is working intently with equally our Federal and local companions to guarantee that any demonstrations that choose put are executed lawfully and peacefully,” said Mike Sauschuck, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Public Basic safety. “We are planning so that we are fully prepared if that is not the case, although there is no proof ideal now that implies this.”

The Office, in conjunction with Capitol Police and nearby regulation enforcement these types of as the Augusta Police Office and other surrounding departments, has stood up a unified command center led by the Maine Condition Law enforcement to get ready for and respond to any probable events. The Maine National Guard are engaged in these conversations.

In response to the gatherings of past week in Washington, D.C. and foreseeable future opportunity situations, the Capitol Police, with the support of the Maine Point out Police, has enhanced its existence in and close to the Capitol. The Capitol has been shut to the public as a final result of COVID-19 and is only obtainable to lawmakers, point out governing administration staff members, or many others with approved vital playing cards. Nevertheless, the Capitol Law enforcement have even further consolidated entrance factors at the State Capitol and the adjacent Cross Place of work Setting up and have established supplemental security screening techniques. In the coming times, the Section of Community Security will continue to modify protocols as necessary. As a reminder, weapons are prohibited on point out house in Augusta.

Earlier this week, the Governor also authorized a ask for from the Chief of the Nationwide Guard Bureau to deliver Maine National Guard support users to assist federal agencies and the District of Columbia Nationwide Guard for the duration of the Inauguration.