Increased Security At Kootenai County Democratic Caucus

"We have some very strong anti-Democratic groups in the area," said Tamara Poelstra, Democratic caucus chair for Kootenai County in northern Idaho.

With double to triple the amount of turnout expected she said, "it is better to be safe than sorry." The local Democratic Party has hired a security consultant and EMT, Jack Clay, who will be training five volunteers to man the entrances to the North Idaho College caucus site. Clay will be working with the Coeur d'Alene police and security at the site.

This "low-key security" is new for the party said Poelstra, who said the large turnout means that, "we need more than grandma telling you to mind your manners."

In the past, raucous fans of 3rd party candidates were the biggest nuisance. But, she said that the presence of Aryan Nations is an additional reason for the beefed up security. Poelstra said, "we just don't want our caucus process disrupted."