Despite orders to quarantine — or maybe because of them — civic engagement has been on the rise in Nevada County since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.
Local officials have struggled with mask-related turmoil at the Board of Supervisors, and the county is paying a price for the polarization.
“Unfortunately, the county has received a number of threats that have led to increasing our security,” CEO Alison Lehman said in statement. “Sadly, we are seeing this happening all over the country.”
Deputy CEO Martin Polt said government buildings and employees are on high alert, “in general.”
“We have a duty to create a safe work environment where the community can access local government services and participate in government meetings safely and without fear of reprisal,” he said.
Nick Poole, head of county Risk Management, declined to specify what kind of threats Eric Rood Administrative Center employees have received over the last 24 months, but noted the marked increase in active shooters nationwide.
The FBI has designated 40 shootings in 2020 as active shooter incidents, indicating a 100% increase since 2016. A mass shooting…
