OLYMPIA - Starting today, a restricted area on West Capitol Campus has been modified to allow pedestrian access from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The area remains closed to vehicle access.

“There are still many unknowns and substantial uncertainty as to how our security environment will continue to evolve, but we are hopeful that threat levels or illegal activity do not affect this restored pedestrian access in the days and weeks ahead,” said Department of Enterprise Services (DES) Director Chris Liu.

Pedestrian access gates are located at each cross walk along Cherry Lane and at the top of the switchback trail north of the Law Enforcement Memorial that leads down to Capitol Lake.

DES Capitol Security & Visitor Services (CSVS) and the Washington State Patrol are present on campus to protect both public safety and free speech.

CSVS and WSP also constantly monitor and adjust as security and safety needs arise on the campus, and are prepared and ready for a wide range of scenarios. The pedestrian access is subject to change based on the security environment.

Security level change announcements

DES will keep people informed about future access changes via regular communication channels including campus bulletins, the DES website and social media.

If access levels change rapidly due to an active incident, people will receive a message from the emergency alert system for Capitol Campus (WA Agency Alerts).

Campus employees are automatically enrolled in the WA Agency Alerts system.

The public can sign up for text message alerts:

• Text CAMPUSALERT to 888-777 to receive alerts on an ongoing basis.
• Text CAMPUSGUEST to 888-777 to receive alerts for one week.