Some lawmakers in New York are re-evaluating their security measures after last weekend's politically motivated shootings of two state representatives in Minnesota.
The attacks that killed one Minnesota state legislator and her husband and severely wounded another and his wife on Saturday are one example of an increasing number of instances of political violence in the United States.
"I don't think years ago his was something that was as of top of mind for elected officials and state legislators specifically. But to see what happened in Minnesota, it's our worst nightmare come to fruition," said New York state Sen. James Skoufis, D-Cornwall, Orange County, who added that he worries about his and his family's safety more than he should.
Skoufis is installing a buzzer system at the front door of his district office as an added security measure.
That's something his fellow Democrat, Assemblymember Harry Bronson, did at his Rochester district office seven years ago after he received a threatening message.
"It was when a constituent indicated that next time he would use a gun," Bronson recalled.
The hate mail threatening Bronson as a gay man was tucked in between the screen door and the front door of his home in 2018. And after last weekend's targeted attacks against the lawmakers in Minnesota, he's considering installing a security camera system at his local office.
According to Bronson, that was one of the recommendations made by law enforcement officials during a meeting with state legislators and Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday.
He said New York State Troopers offered to be present at public events if elected leaders felt uneasy. But Bronson stressed that he does not plan to avoid these types of events because of concerns about safety.
"I want to assure our constituents that we're going to continue to work on their behalf," he said. "We're just going to be cautious and more vigilant and making sure that everybody stays safe."
